Lakeland College is proud to announce that Charlene Bonnar is the Gold Recipient in the Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty category at the 2026 Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Awards of Excellence.

Bonnar — Lakeland’s chair of university transfer and instructor — received the national award at the CICan Connections Conference on April 23 in Ottawa, Ont., for her leadership, innovation and impact.

“As an English instructor, I am able to share my passions for reading and writing with the next generation. By sharing stories, we build community and compassion — lessons I hope my students will carry with them throughout their lives. I am fortunate to spend my days with young people who challenge me to keep seeing with new eyes. I am honoured to be recognized by my peers and am grateful to the Lakeland College community for their support,” says Bonnar.

A college employee for more than two decades, Bonnar is widely recognized for her student-centred approach to teaching, grounded in a commitment to continuous improvement and the question, “What can we do better next time?” Her work consistently focuses on removing barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for all students to succeed.

Throughout her 22-year career at Lakeland, Bonnar has reimagined the classroom experience by emphasizing student engagement and interactive learning. By integrating tools such as collaborative platforms and generative artificial intelligence, she equips students with critical thinking skills while reinforcing ethical and responsible academic practices. She played a key role in bringing the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) to Lakeland, expanding opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students while strengthening community impact and reconciliation efforts. Bonnar also developed courses such as Indigenous Storytelling: Stories of the Land, on the Land, and a Transition Program for Indigenous students as they begin their post-secondary journeys.

Her leadership extends beyond the classroom. Bonnar led initiatives like the community garden project that integrates experiential learning, supports food security and builds community connections. She also launched a podcast, Asokan: Building Bridges, a podcast series supported by TELUS STORYHIVE.

“Charlene exemplifies the spirit of innovation in post-secondary education through her transformative teaching practices, her dedication to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and her unwavering commitment to reconciliation and student success,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College.

“The remarkable impact Charlene continues to have on Lakeland, our university transfer program and students, and external communities is transformative. Her initiative and innovative practices continue to shape a more diverse, inclusive and decolonized learning environment across post-secondary environments. Charlene is a leader in advancing equitable education and we are thrilled to see her recognized with this award.”