Executive & Committees

COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES FACULTY ASSOCIATION

2023-2024 EXECUTIVE & COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Joan Kaun   |   President  |   [email protected]

Joan has been with the College since 1992.  She currently teaches in the OFAD program and has been actively involved with CORFA since 2003.  In 2016, Joan was acclaimed as president and is beginning her 7th year in this capacity.  One of her goals for this term is succession planning as she looks toward passing the torch and embracing retirement in a few years.

Joan has been in Cranbrook since 1982 when she began her post-secondary studies at East Kootenay Community College.  She married her husband Darrell in 1987 and they raised their three children in the community.  They have been blessed with four grandchildren who also live in Cranbrook.

Sheena Svitich  |  Vice President  |  [email protected]

I’m Sheena Svitich and I’m honoured to be acclaimed to the position of vice-president of CORFA for the next two years. I started at the Cranbrook campus of the College in November 1998 in an excluded position for two weeks and then shortly became auxiliary faculty in the Office Administration program. I worked in support staff administrative positions at COTR in the meantime and became a full-time regular in the program in 2013. I have been CORFA secretary for several years and have learned so much about our local and FPSE during this time.  I’m excited about my new role in CORFA in more of a forward-facing role and hope to serve faculty in a way that demonstrates solid, thoughtful connection and leadership.

My husband Doug works as a groundskeeper for the College, and I have a 13-year-old daughter, Casey, who is in Grade 8.  We live in Marysville, near Kimberley.

Kevin Boehmer  |  Chief Bargainer  [email protected]

My name is Kevin Boehmer (pronounced Beemer) and I was born and raised in Creston. I did my post secondary in Lethbridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Management, Accounting major from the University of Lethbridge (my first 2 years were done at Lethbridge Community College). I worked for a little bit in the area before moving back home to Creston. I obtained my Chartered Accountant designation (now called a Chartered Professional Accountant) in 2012 and left public practice accounting soon after. I have worked as a director of finance, ran my own accounting firm for a couple of years and even served a term as a councillor for the town of Creston. I have been teaching at the college since 2015 and absolutely love it, I find it really fulfilling to teach students and help them on their life journey.  I moved from Creston to Cranbrook in 2021 as I had been commuting before then and my back told me it was time to stop that. I have been the Chief bargainer for the college since late fall 2020. My wife and I have 4 lovely daughters; they are a wonderful blessing, and I am so grateful to get to spend time with my wife and our daughters (even though some are teenagers). I enjoy playing and watching hockey and am usually game to play pretty much any sport. I have picked up pickleball and disc golf the last couple of years and am surprised at how enjoyable they are. I have been trying to walk and bike to work regularly and have found that it really helps me feel mentally well. Thanks for taking the time to read this bio and have a lovely day!

Andrea Hyde  |  Chief Steward  |  [email protected]

My name is Andrea Hyde and I teach Math and Stats in the University Studies department. Before I began teaching five years ago, I worked in finance in Nelson, BC. I live in Cranbrook with my partner, Austin, and our three dogs. I am a proud intersectional feminist and I strive to use the lens of equity in all of my work. I am also a humble learner and try to maintain a growth mindset in all areas of my life. As your Chief Steward, I work for you. My duty and accountability are to you, the members. I look forward to my second year in this role and to all the challenges and rewards that it brings.

John McDonaugh  |  Member at Large  |  [email protected]

I currently am an Education Advisor at the Cranbrook campus as well as the Student Services Coordinator.  I have been at the College for 19 years and my roles have included auxiliary upgrading instructor, auxiliary office administration instructor, term accessibility services coordinator along with the following CUPE roles – chem/earth sciences lab tech, institutional research analyst, career and employment coordinator.  I have served on the CORFA executive when I was the FPSE Education Policy Committee rep as well as have been a CORFA rep on the COTR Sustainability committee, COTR Awards committee, COTR Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) committee,  CORFA Communications and Engagement (aka Fun) committee and Education Council (EdCo).  I look forward to my continued work with CORFA as a Member-at-Large, so please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns!

Jody Mendenhall  |  MEMBER AT LARGE  |  [email protected]

I’m Jody Mendenhall. I’ve been the Librarian here at the College of the Rockies since January of 2019. I enjoy connecting people with resources and advocating for the importance of information literacy. In my personal time I find the Kootenays to be a great fit as I love to hike, camp, cross country ski, paddleboard etc. I’m also happy to curl up with a good book on snowy night. I’m excited to come on board the Executive Committee as a new Member at Large and look forward to learning and growing in my role. My goal is to help make CORFA stronger and better for it’s members. 

Jo Ann Smith  |  TREASURER  |  [email protected]

My name is Jo Ann Smith and I’m the Indigenous Education Coordinator & Advisor at the college, one of many roles I have had over my 11 years here.  I grew up in a small town and have had the pleasure of living and working in many other small towns in BC.  I have worked in post-secondary for almost 25 years in roles that ranged from instructor, campus manager, adult learning center manager, executive assistant, contract manager, and for the past 5 years a CORFA member.  I am happy to continue to work with the CORFA Executive Committee, on your behalf, now as the Treasurer.  As a lifelong learner I look forward to all the new learning opportunities that come with this role.