Interdisciplinary + Inclusive Education

Led by the associate dean (education), our college is creating world-leading programs and educational opportunities that transcend disciplines to deliver lifelong learning that is connected to research. Our work is inclusive of our diverse populations of learners.

At CNAS, we support exceptional collaborative teaching that crosses disciplines connected to the natural and applied sciences. We champion experiential and work-integrated learning experiences within the U of A and with our community partners both nationally and internationally. These educational opportunities set our students on paths to careers and leadership that will strengthen the ability of our local, provincial and national partners and communities to address the big global challenges society faces.

CNAS values the inclusion of diverse learners and we approach our work in STEM education with the intentional goal of increasing equity across the breadth of the student experience from recruitment to the alumni relationship.

Interdisciplinary Programming

We are connecting diverse groups of learners to the internationally recognized research strengths of CNAS and the U of A. We are doing this by supporting and building new interdisciplinary programs that leverage online education, stackable learning modules that can be connected, and instruction and learning that integrates multiple disciplinary approaches with experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities.

Collaborative Teaching

CNAS students engage in learning and discovery within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Science, as well as across the U of A. We support engagement of students, staff, instructors and educational and research leaders across faculties to develop collaborative and innovative approaches aimed at providing outstanding student learning experiences and outcomes that are connected to research.

Experiential + Work Integrated Learning

We are working with our partners across education, government, and the non-profit sector to connect learning and discovery to change, action and engagement. We are passionate about supporting and creating transparent and open access to experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities that open up career connections and provide professional development for diverse learners.

We are doing this by up-lifting and supporting U of A offices and initiatives that connect students to research and work-integrated learning, like the Career Centre, Engineering Co-Op, the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, the Science Internship Program, Student Innovation Centre, University of Alberta International and the Undergraduate Research Initiative.

CNAS is also working to create new opportunities for students to explore research, international learning experiences and work-integrated program elements by coordinating the work of partner organizations and existing university supports.

LEADERSHIP

Carlos "Lobo" Cruz-Noguez Associate Dean (Education)

Carlos "Lobo" Cruz-Noguez is the Associate Dean of Education at the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, leading the development of initiatives to enhance the educational experience for students and faculty.  

Nicknamed "El Lobo" ("The Wolf"), his academic home is the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, where he served as Associate Chair (undergraduate) and as Vice-Chair before his appointment as an Associate Dean at the College.  An award-winning educator and researcher, he leads a world-class team as the current MCAA Endowed Chair of Masonry Systems.  His team aims to revolutionize the way constructive systems are built to achieve cost-effective and long-lasting infrastructure. 

He is a firm believer of the power of education and learning to change lives and uplift entire communities.  At the College, he specializes in the development of interdisciplinary programs in areas of emerging opportunity (such as sustainability, clean energy, data science, and AI, among many others) by leveraging expertise across departments, faculties and units at the UofA.  Connect with Lobo at cnasade@ualberta.ca.