Dr. Sheila French was appointed to the Lethbridge College Board of Governors for a three-year term beginning in November 2022. She is a faculty researcher and instructor in experimental psychology, corrections, and criminal justice. Her past research and publications have primarily focused on correctional studies, specifically in the assessment, management, and reduction of risk for recidivism in justice-involved persons (aka What works!). Her preferred methods for research are meta-analysis and program evaluation. Sheila began her research career as graduate student with the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. Subsequently, to develop her understanding of how research is implemented in the ‘real world’, she spent time as a member of a team of Directors of Clinical Services within the Ministry of Corrections and Policing in Saskatchewan. Most recently, she has been a faculty member at Lethbridge College since January 2012.
With respect to teaching, she thinks of herself as more of a facilitator for learning. She believes that a good working relationship with learners is essential for student confidence and for the creation of a safe environment in which to make mistakes, persevere, and develop skills like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. Her teaching goals are to promote student success in academics and to provide skills for career and life. She has facilitated learning for more than two decades online, in industry workshops, and in the classroom in post-secondary institutions at the diploma and undergraduate level.