Introducing Dr. Carol-Anne Faint
Dr. Carol-Anne Faint has been a faculty member with the Sandermoen School of Business at the University of Fredericton (UFred) for ten years. During this time, she has taught Governance, Strategy and Structure, Leadership Theory and Practice, and Leadership in Change Management.
Dr. Faint brings a balanced combination of academic and professional experience to her courses, creating an overall rich learning environment for students. Her educational background consists of a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security from the University of Phoenix, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration specializing in criminal justice from Northcentral University.
Outside of academia, Dr. Faint worked within the non-profit sector for 18 years. She has worked as the Executive Director of a women’s treatment center and has held the position of program director across numerous non-profit sectors such as brain injury rehabilitation services, vocational rehabilitation services, and First Nations organizations. While holding these positions, her goal has remained consistent: to create and maintain a supportive culture and to drive social change.
The UFred Experience: knowledgeable students and competitive program offerings
UFred’s graduate-level business programs focus on student collaboration and teamwork, and students often enter these programs with a foundation of business practices that may differ from their peers. The diversity of experience creates an enhanced learning environment amongst students, particularly during their collaborative work, but it is not just students who learn from each other; Dr. Faint notes that faculty can also benefit from the diverse perspectives at UFred: “I have always seen myself as an active learner in the classroom, gaining insights from students’ shared experiences. The environment enriches the learning experiences for all.”
While discussing the students at UFred, Dr. Faint noted how impressed she is with the knowledge her students bring to their courses and the caliber of professionals that they already are:
“What drew me and continues to draw me to the University of Fredericton is the opportunity to, first and foremost, work with a highly talented group of professional students. I am constantly amazed at the extent of business experience each student brings as a foundation to succeed as a lifelong learner.”
Dr. Faint’s experience at UFred has also been shaped by the varied program offerings at the school and the competitiveness that this diversity brings to the faculty and student experience.
“At UFred, we have the opportunity to teach at a competitive Canadian university that offers a wide range of programs to meet the unique needs of the Canadian business environment.”
In her view, the breadth of content offered by the University provides students with an advantage that allows them to contribute in a higher capacity to their businesses. Given that the business world has recently been faced with constant change, it has been more critical than ever for students to contribute to the success of their businesses by applying their in-class knowledge as they progress through their programs.
Looking forward: the future of online learning
During the last two years, many face-to-face operations were disrupted and many businesses were unprepared for the changes that came about due to the pandemic. Those who were prepared to provide services online or were already doing so were able to curate positive experiences for their clients.
Dr. Faint was able to witness this firsthand at UFred, where online education is the norm, and went on uninterrupted and without issue. The ability to offer online education seamlessly as it was at UFred has helped her to believe that the future of online learning is bright:
“Online learning is a force that will thrive in the continually changing social and business environment and will no doubt become a leading strategy that students will use to pursue their educational goals with limited disruption.”
As someone who completed their Ph.D. through an online learning format, Dr. Faint understands the positive impact online education can have on a business professional wishing to return to school. This style of learning allows for overall flexibility for students and an opportunity for broader collaboration.
“I earned my doctoral degree within a virtual format and am well accustomed to the broad opportunities and flexibility the online learning environment offers. The UFred environment is no different and provides opportunities for faculty and students to connect and contribute to discussions, at any time, allowing the student to conveniently balance work, home life, and the pursuit of academia.”
Dr. Faint also noted that there is unique opportunity for students to receive a high-level education regardless of their location when leveraging an online format. Depending on where a student is located, they may not have access to an in-person university, or it may not offer courses in topics they would like to pursue. The online format opens doors to those who otherwise may not be able to pursue further education.
“Not every city in Canada offers a brick-and-mortar university with a similar caliber of education to that of UFred. UFred students can gain an MBA or EMBA from the comfort of their homes, from anywhere in the world.”
In an increasingly online world, and with businesses that are more often global, online education stands as a strong alternative to traditional bricks-and-mortar academia or in-person professional development. The ability to connect with students motivated by this notion stands as a highlight for Dr. Faint and her work at UFred and presents a promising outlook for the future of online education.
Academia and beyond: future professional goals
As a professor at both the University of Fredericton and Walden University, Dr. Faint’s future goals focus on continuing to grow as an educator. She plans to continue collaborating with students and faculty to provide her personal and professional best within every course she teaches. To her, the most important goal she has for the future is one she has long held: “to help students reach their desired educational goals”.