A newly submitted academic volume, Innovative Approaches to Regional and Vocational Education, brings together researchers and practitioners from across Canada and internationally to explore how vocational education can evolve to meet rapidly changing workforce demands.
Led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Krista LaRue Keeley, the book address's critical themes including micro-credentials, artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, community-based entrepreneurship, robotics, and applied research hubs. The book also features chapter contributions from two additional Southeast College faculty, Tania Hlohovsky Andrist and Ryan Gustafson. The book is currently under review for publication and is expected to release in 2025.
The volume includes a wide range of case studies, frameworks, and field-based insights that collectively highlight how vocational institutions can partner with industries, incorporate digital tools, and respond to local and regional skills gaps with agility and purpose.
"Our contributors are reimagining vocational education not just as job training, but as a deeply integrated part of lifelong learning, community development, and economic resilience," said Dr. Keeley. "This collection reflects bold, practical thinking rooted in experience and collaboration."
Contributors examine topics such as:
- The role of micro-credentials in building learner flexibility and mobility
- Community-led research hubs in rural and remote regions
- The integration of AI to enhance learner engagement and equity
- Workforce-aligned curricula for robotics and computer science
- Entrepreneurship and innovation in regional postsecondary systems
Dr. Keeley currently serves as Training and Design Specialist at Southeast College, where she leads the Teaching and Learning Centre. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Western University and is known for her work in inclusive pedagogy, AI-assisted education, and faculty development. Her chapter in Generative AI in Teaching and Learning, introducing the AI-Teacher Wellness Theory (AI-TeachWell), is among her most recent and impactful contributions to the field.
Southeast College is proud to offer innovative and flexible programming that encourages students to learn where they live.
