Inclusive Education & Pathways Coordinator

KALAI PONNIAH

Langley, BC

587-***-**** *****.*******@*****.***

PROFILE SUMMARY

Inclusive, student-centred educator and academic coordinator with extensive experience supporting access to post-secondary education, developing pathways for diverse learners, and strengthening community-based learning initiatives. Demonstrated success designing curriculum, coordinating cohort-based programming, supporting adult learners (ABE, ELL, Trades, Health), and fostering relationships with Indigenous communities, newcomer organizations, and industry partners.

More than 20 years of leadership across post-secondary environments, including developmental education, trades training, and university pathways. Highly skilled in trauma-informed pedagogy, individualized educational planning, advising, program assessment, and collaborative coordination across departments. Known for building welcoming learning environments for students with diverse cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds.

CORE COMPETENCIES ALIGNED TO VIU PATHWAYS

ABE / ELL Program Knowledge & Adult Learning Principles

Trauma-Informed & Culturally Safe Pedagogy

Indigenous Ways of Knowing & Community Engagement

Curriculum Design & Learning Outcome Alignment

Access, Inclusion & Equity-Based Program Development

Cohort Coordination, Scheduling & Student Tracking

Community Partnerships & Relationship-Building

Student Advising, Case Management & IEP Creation

Workshop & Presentation Development

Budget Monitoring, Reporting & Administrative Coordination

Multi-Campus Program Support (in-person & online via MS Teams)

Rapid Adaptation to Changing Academic and Student Needs

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director, Academics & Evaluation

Sprott Shaw College BC 2022 – 2025

Pathways & Student Support Alignment

Supported adult learners transitioning from foundational programs into Trades, Nursing, Legal, Healthcare and Business pathways by developing curriculum, advising structures, and learning supports.

Designed program materials with inclusive, trauma-informed, accessible pedagogy, integrating scaffolding, clear outcomes, and flexible learning supports.

Created learner-centred course templates and advising documentation used across multiple campuses.

Curriculum & Program Development

Led curriculum development for multiple Trades, Health, and social programs including Electrician Levels 1–4, Community Support Work, Mental Health & Addictions, and Legal Assistant pathways.

Developed curriculum that reflects adult learning theory, diverse learner needs, and accessibility considerations.

Rewrote curriculum for English and Math prerequisites to align with BC high-school learning outcomes and better support developmental learners (ABE alignment).

Relationship-Building & Community Engagement

Regularly collaborated with community organizations, regulatory bodies, and industry partners to strengthen program relevance and support student transition.

Built respectful working relationships with diverse instructors, Indigenous students, newcomer learners, and community stakeholders.

Cohort Coordination, Student Success & Advising

Monitored student progression and retention using individualized plans, early-alert systems, and structured check-ins.

Supported vulnerable student populations with high empathy, creating safe environments for learners with trauma backgrounds, complex barriers, and educational gaps.

Provided in-person and online support using MS Teams, email, scheduled office hours, and personalized coaching.

Program Evaluation, Reporting & Budgeting

Coordinated academic review cycles, prepared institutional reports, analyzed progression/attrition data, and implemented improvement plans.

Administered academic budgets and ensured programs operated within financial constraints.

SPROTT SHAW COLLEGE British Columbia

Campus Director – New Westminster Campus – Sprott Shaw College

November 2022 – November 2023

Campus Operations, Administration & Compliance

Led full campus operations including admissions workflow, registrar activities, class scheduling, faculty allocation, budgeting, and facilities oversight.

Ensured campus compliance with PTIB regulations, institutional policies, and audit requirements (enrolment documentation, attendance tracking, faculty qualifications, completion records).

Managed campus-level reporting, KPI tracking, student satisfaction metrics, and DLI-related documentation.

Leadership, Staffing & Performance Management

Supervised instructors, admissions staff, student services, and administrative personnel; set performance goals, monitored KPIs, and conducted coaching sessions.

Strengthened faculty onboarding, teaching quality, and classroom management practices.

Student Services & Conflict Resolution

Handled complex student cases including academic appeals, complaints, personal challenges, and behavioural matters with professionalism and risk awareness.

Improved student satisfaction by introducing consistent communication touchpoints, advising processes, and follow-up protocols.

Operational Efficiency & Process Improvements

Implemented workflow improvements in admissions, registration, scheduling, and reporting.

Improved data accuracy and documentation required for audits and regulatory reviews.

URECA UNIVERSAL EDUCATION ADVISORY & CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

February 2021 – October 2022

Developed strategic growth solutions for universities in the U.S., Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and India, guiding institutional repositioning and competitive differentiation.

Improved administrative and academic structures for partner institutions through governance reviews, streamlined processes, and data-driven improvement frameworks.

Supported institutions in adopting technology-enabled learning solutions, new initiatives, and scalable academic models.

MSM HIGHER ED, CANADA

Vice President, Business Development

December 2020 – February 2021

Spearheaded the establishment and governance of Eton College transnationally.

Built strategic alliances and articulation agreements with Canadian and global institutions (e.g., CBU, Capilano, Royal Roads, TWU, Frostburg State, Rayat Bahra, Horizon Campus, Skills Valley, Lyceum University).

Led partnership, licensing, and PPP initiatives to expand global presence and student mobility pathways.

Vice President – Educational Services

August 2019 – November 2020

Oversaw operations of MSM-managed colleges internationally, focusing on academic quality, enrollment growth, compliance, and organizational efficiency.

Established Eton College campuses in Sri Lanka and India.

Led transformation of face-to-face programs into online/hybrid models through a dedicated e-learning team.

Ensured compliance with PTIB accreditation and internal policy frameworks.

UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY (UIU), USA / ASIA

Assistant Vice President – International Education, Asia Operations

2018 – 2019

Assistant Vice President – International Education, Malaysia Operations

2014 – 2017

Director – International Education, Malaysia Operations

2011 – 2013

Highlights across tenure:

Led Asia-wide internationalization strategy, building partnerships in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Negotiated 15 major partnership agreements, significantly expanding UIU’s global footprint.

Delivered a 148% increase in international enrollment and a 226% increase in revenue within 18 months.

Launched new programs, built student support centers, strengthened advising, and enhanced retention.

Led strategic planning, accreditation preparation (HLC), and campus-wide international initiatives.

Established international campuses, secured dual accreditation, and built governing systems for admissions, recruitment, and academic operations.

SAIT POLYTECHNIC, Calgary, Alberta

Academic Chair – Legal Assistant Program

2007 – 2010

Led a team of faculty and staff overseeing a $5M program portfolio.

Increased program capacity by 50% annually while strengthening retention and graduation outcomes.

Introduced blended learning delivery using D2L; pioneered technology-enabled teaching at SAIT.

Forged partnerships with Calgary law firms to strengthen practicum and employment opportunities.

Expanded articulation agreements with Canadian universities, growing degree-completion pathways.

Secured $500,000 in fundraising for e-learning classrooms.

INTI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Malaysia

Dean, Law School

1996 – 2006

Founding Dean responsible for establishing INTI’s Law School, including program design, faculty recruitment, regulatory approvals, and operational governance.

Built five law degree programs integrating active learning, practice-based education, and industry partnerships.

Grew enrolment to full capacity and increased international student share to 50%.

Generated $8M in annual revenue and received the 2005 Best Entrepreneur Award.

Established partnerships with U.K. universities and launched twinning programs.

OTHER POSITIONS

Adjunct Professor, DeVry University, Calgary

Learning & Education Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Malaysia

Programs Manager, Malaysia Insurance Institute

Deputy Office Manager, UK Employment Group

Post-Secondary Teacher, Malaysia

EDUCATION

Master of International & Comparative Business Law – London Metropolitan University

LL.B (Hons) – University of Wolverhampton

Teacher Training Certificate – Teacher Training Institute, Malaysia

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• “Students Programs: Developing Relations with Tomorrow’s Alumni Today – CASE Asia Pacific Conference in Singapore, August 2012

• “Engaging Alumni Thought Leaders” – CASE Asia Pacific Conference in Singapore, August 2012

• “Defamation Laws and the Internet” - Lexis Nexis Conference in Malaysia in 2006

• “Intellectual Property Rights on E-learning” in International Education Conference in Malaysia in 2005

• “Legal Issues In An E-learning Environment” at the International Conference on the Challenge of Learning & Teaching in Hatyai, Thailand in 2002

• “Intellectual Property, Copyright and Online Learning” at the e-Education International Conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2001

• “Directors' and Officers' Duties and Liabilities” – Bar Council Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur in 1997

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Empowered Leadership, Upper Iowa University, June 2018

• Prevent Harassment – Promoting Respect, Upper Iowa University, March 2018

• Supervision & Evaluating Faculty & Staff: Making it Meaningful, Upper Iowa University, February 2016.

• Senior University Administrators Course (SUAC) at Center for Higher Education Research & Development, Banff, Alberta, June 2015

• Trained for “Partnerships for Promising Practices in Student Success.” at Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Leaders’ Institute. November 2012

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

• American Malaysia Chamber of Commerce – Council Member 2011 – 2016

• Member of the SAIT Global Education Network 2010

• Chair of the SAIT School of Business Employee on Awards Recognition Awards Committee 2010

• Member of SAIT Launch Committee 2007 – 2011

• Upper Iowa University’s Strategic Planning Committee 2016 – 2017

• Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and University (MAPCU) – council member 1999 – 2002

• Chair of the SAIT School of Business New Faculty Orientation Program Committee 2007 – 2011

• Vice Chair of Management Education Coordinating Council of Alberta (MECCA) 2010

MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

D2L, Blackboard, Moodle, Jenzabar, Nolij, Salesforce & ERP

LANGUAGES

Indonesian · Malay · Telugu · Tamil

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