Leading-edge programs, strategies and research
The Gerald B. Mitchell Centre of Excellence in Career & Experiential Education (CoE) focuses on ensuring Brock University, and in turn, other post-secondary education institutions benefit from leading-edge research practices, programs and strategies as it pertains to career and experiential education.
Co-op, Career & Experiential Education (CCEE) is anchored by a vision to be the leader in quality experiences in co-op, career and experiential education in Canada. This vision, and the department’s operations over the last seven years, allow for a strong foundation and alignment with the Centre of Excellence – having implemented leading practices and structures across the country that have been replicated nationwide.
The promising practices and research developed through the CoE can be transformed into services that enhance the quality and access of undergraduate and graduate student experiences, education, employer and community organizations’ capacity, and overall skills and talent needs of the region – all of which will help build a healthy learning environment, economy and job market for graduating students.
The CoE will support expansion in programs and services offered to students, community and employer partners and faculty; support research through research grants that will focus on the impacts of career and experiential education on various stakeholders; and will focus on how to assist students in skills translation and mobilization of skills throughout their academic career and beyond.
AREAS OF FOCUS
FEATURED WORK
Brock Competencies & Skills Translation
The Brock Competencies and Skills Translation project started with the goal of developing and integrating campus-wide competencies by mapping the knowledge, skills, and attributes that students develop through curricular and co-curricular experience and reflection. Ten core competencies were identified through research, consultation with a campus-wide advisory committee, and student feedback in the form of focus groups. The Brock Core Competencies are integrated into CCEE programming as a tool for reflection, development of learning outcomes and supporting students with career readiness. Currently, discussions are underway regarding campus-wide integration and the development of Faculty-specific competencies.
Meet the team

Marisa Brown
Associate Director – Centre of Excellence
Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
mbrown6@brocku.ca
905 688 5550 x5692
PROGRAM AREA(S):
- All areas of Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
SKILLS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Career development and job search strategies
- Program development and curriculum design
- Coaching and mentorship
- Workshop facilitation

Clélia Kimana
Career Curriculum Consultant, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Co-op, Career, and Experiential Education
905 688 5550
ckimana@brocku.ca
PROGRAM AREA(S):
- All areas of Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
SKILLS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Workshop facilitation
- Mentorship
- Relationship building
- Masters of Education

Christine Eaton
Career Development Consultant
Co-op, Career & Experiential Eduation
905-688-5550 x3748
ceaton@brocku.ca
SKILLS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Curriculum development and evaluation
- 0N/5N90 course management and facilitation
- Coaching and mentorship
- Relationship development
- Professionalism

Laura Fyfe
Skills Translation Coordinator
Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
lfyfe@brocku.ca
905 688 5550 x6683
PROGRAM AREA(S):
- All areas of Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
SKILLS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Mentorship and relationship building
- Research and instruction
- Skills identification and translation
- Workshop facilitation and public speaking

Jillian Nero
Project Manager
Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
jnero@brocku.ca
905 371 4550
PROGRAM AREA(S):
- All areas of Co-op, Career & Experiential Education
SKILLS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Project management
- Event planning and logistics
- Marketing and communications
- Relationship management
PUBLICATIONS & NEWS
Articulating career competencies with Laura Fyfe and Katrina Volpini of Brock University
Mindset in Motion (MIM) Podcast, March 2023, Season 3, EP. 5
Navigating a world without resumes
Alesia Dane and Laura Fyfe, Careering Blog, CERIC, June 2022
The myth of post-COVID skills
Laura Fyfe, Responsibilities May Include, University Affairs, August 2021
Career competencies and skills translation: helping students prepare for the future of work
Laura Fyfe, Careering Blog, CERIC, June 2021
Using play, optimism and curiosity to unlock success in your job search
Marisa Brown, Responsibilities May Include, University Affairs, March 2021
The power of play
Marisa Brown, Careering Blog, CERIC, June 2019