Advanced Education and Literacy Manitoba

What is COPSE?

The Council on Post-Secondary Education is the provincial agency that works to promote excellence and cooperation within the post-secondary education sector to meet the diverse educational needs of Manitobans. Created by an Act of the Manitoba Legislature in November 1996, the Council commenced its operation in April 1997. The Council facilitates the coordination and integration of post-secondary services and facilities, reviews and approves university and college programming, develops policy, and promotes fiscal responsibility and accountability in the post-secondary system.

A major responsibility of Council is the allocation of funds to the province's seven public post-secondary institutions, comprising the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, University College of the North, and Université de Saint-Boniface, which includes École technique et professionnelle. The Council also distributes grants to private religious institutions, which include Steinbach Bible College, Providence College and Seminary, Booth Unversity College, and the Canadian Mennonite University.

The Council acts as an intermediary between the post-secondary institutions and the government, and is composed of eleven members including a chairperson. Reporting to the Council is a staff Secretariat of thirteen provincial civil servants. The Secretariat undertakes activities and projects designed to fulfill the mandate of the Council and to meet the goals established by the Council and Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy. The Secretariat also works in consultation with the universities and colleges to support the Council members in the development of policy and financial accountability.

Mandate

The mandate of the Council on Post-Secondary Education, as stipulated in The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act, is:

" . . . to plan and co-ordinate the development of a post-secondary education system in the province that promotes excellence in and accessibility to education, supports the co-ordination and integration of services and facilities, and promotes fiscal responsibility."

Priorities and Objectives

The following are COPSE’s priorities and objectives for the three-year duration of the strategic plan:

Priority 1: Strengthen Accessibility to Post-Secondary Education

Throughout the next three years, COPSE will work with colleges and universities to develop actions to improve accessibility in post-secondary education and continue to strengthen the capacity of institutions through capital and programming improvements. 

Priority 2: Lead the System

By the end of 2010/11, and working with post-secondary institutions, students, government and other stakeholders, COPSE will establish a vision and direction for the post-secondary system and a process for ongoing review

By March 2011, COPSE will define its intermediary role, its relationship to the government and the post-secondary institutions.

Priority 3: Improve System Coordination

COPSE will continue to work with Manitoba’s institutions to create a more coordinated system of credit transfer and articulation agreements that will include a searchable credit transfer website by March 2012.

By March 2011, and working with the post-secondary institutions, COPSE will establish and manage a permanent working group of government and institutional stakeholders to discuss formulation of a Quality Assurance process for Manitoba.

By March 2013, COPSE will develop an accountability framework to support its program approval process, as well as a performance measurement framework for the post-secondary system.

Framework of Accountability

The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act, in section 4 contemplates that the Minister responsible for the Act will establish a "framework of accountability" within which the Council will operate. This framework is established in fulfillment of that requirement. It also reflects the unique position of COPSE as a Crown Agency which is not a part of the Department of Advanced Education and Literacy, but is accountable in various contexts to the Minister.

Appendix 1 - Letter of Delegation referring to Colleges Act
Appendix 2 - Letter of Delegation referring to the Degree Granting Act
Appendix 3 - Delegation of Employing Authority

Council Members

Roles and Responsibilities

Chair of Council (23 KB)
Vice-chair of Council (21 KB)
Council Members (20 KB)

Chair of Council

Curtis Nordman

• B.A., (Hons), University of Winnipeg (1970)
• M.A., Dalhousie University (1972)
• D.Phil., Oxford University (1976)
• Instructor at Northern Lights College in British Columbia (1979-1984) where he was Department Head, Academic Career and Technical (1983-1984)
• Chaired the Local 57, British Columbia Government Employees Union (1980-1984)
• Served as Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Department of Education and Training (1985-1990)
• Taught for several years at the University of Winnipeg, including as the Dean of Continuing Education (1990-2000)
• Founder and Director of the Centre for Learning Technologies at the University of Winnipeg (1995-2000)
• Appointed as the Executive Director of the College Expansion Initiative in 2000. In 2003 his duties were expanded to include Student Aid.
• In 2006 he was appointed Acting Secretary to the Council on Post-Secondary Education (January, 2006-July, 2006)
• He currently does independent consulting work in the field of post-secondary education

Vice-Chair of Council

Ms. Bonnie Proven

• Experience in distance education as Director of Campus Manitoba (retired). 
• Extensive experience in post-secondary education sector. 
• Former Vice-President of Academics at ACC

Council Members

Mr. Rex Masesar

• Currently employed at HED Insurance as an Employee Benefits Representative
• Diploma in Business Administration from Red River College
• Active in the Daniel McIntyre community and former board member of the Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews Community Association
• Former President of Red River College Students’ Association
• Active in the Filipino community

Mr. Ross Wedlake

• retired teacher / administrator ; 33 years in the River East and Winnipeg School Divisions
• graduate of the University of Manitoba, B.A. and B. Ed.
• 15 years experience developing and teaching alternative education (at-risk students and off-campus programs)
• ex-vice Principal of St. John’s High School
• member of the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame
• long-time basketball coach at high school and college levels
• experienced at presentations to in-services and school staffs
• married ; 3 adult children

Mr. Tayeb Meridji, B.A., M.Sc.

• Labour Market Developer, Success Skills Centre (2000 - )
• Bilingual Francophone with firsthand knowledge of immigrant experience
• Experience as instructor in K-12 and post-secondary sector; Extensive board experience
• Chairperson (Board of Referees), HRSDC Canada (1995 - )
• Enrollment Officer, Heritage Scholarship Trust Plan (1999 – 2000)
• Consultant/Speaker Multiperception in Cross Cultural Groups (1988-1998)
• Extensive teaching and volunteer experience

Mr Jerry Storie

• Former Cabinet Minister, including Education.
• Former member of Brandon University faculty.
• Member of the Premier’s Education, Poverty and Citizenship Council.

Ms. Beverlie Stuart

• Founding Chair and Executive Director of the Alliance of Manitoba Sector Councils
• Serves on the Board Directors for Career Trek
• Serves on the Board Directors for Employment Solutions for Immigrants
• Was a member of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council task group on post-secondary education.
• Lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Carol Johnson

• Presently a resource teacher in a français school
• Has over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher.
• Participates in numerous literacy and numeracy committees.
• Volunteers for several community organizations and events.
• Chaired local teacher association negotiations committee
• Two children with experiences at University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and L'Université de Saint-Boniface

Jagdish Malik, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.A., M.Ed.

• Retired teacher (taught at all levels, 37 years)
• Former member of provincial executive, Manitoba Teachers' Society (5 years)
• Former member, Board of Governors, Brandon University (2006 - 2010)
• Treasurer, Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba (13 years)
• Member, Board of Directors, Retired Teachers' Association of Manitoba (1997 - Current) 

Marlene Head (The Pas)

• Employed as Post-Secondary Counsellor/Supervisor at Opaskwayak Educational Authority. 
• Holds Bachelor of Social Work degree. 
• Community involvement includes:
  • past chair and vice-chair of the Board of Directors of Opaskwayak Health Authority,
  • past chair of the Board of Directors of Opaskwayak Cree Nation Child & Family Services Agency,
  • co-founder and past chair of the Opaskwayak Women’s Circle, and
  • member of the Friendship Centre Board.
  • Appointed to Social Services Appeal Board of Manitoba
  • Avid volunteer for Opaskwayak Cree Nation events/activities

Council Staff

Ray Karasevich, M.P.A.
Secretary to Council
(204) 945-1840

Valerie Shantz, M.P.A.
Director, Institutional Relations
(204) 948-4034

Kim Browning, M.Ed.
Director, Strategic Initiatives
(204) 945-0746

Sarah Whiteford, PhD
Director, Policy and Legislation
(204) 948-1012

Meg Brolley, M.Ed,
Senior Policy Analyst
(204) 945-8564

Carlos Matias, CGA
Chief Financial Officer
(204) 945-1839

Chris Simes, CGA
Senior Financial Officer
(204) 945-5365

Melissa Weavers, B.HEc.
Policy Analyst
(204) 945-4779

Vacant
Senior Program Analyst

Jeffrey Kehler, M.P.A.
Program Analyst
(204) 945-5804

Kitty Leong
Statistical Analyst
(204) 945-0277

Christine Gosselin
Accounting Clerk
(204) 945-1836

Patricia Ferris
Executive Secretary
(204) 945-1835

Janie Trudel
Administrative Assistant
(204) 945-1836