Twenty-three years after graduating from Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Moose Jaw campus, Kristen Craig has experienced a full-circle moment in life by becoming the institution’s new dean of the school of business.
“I’m excited about this role,” Craig told the Express recently after Sask. Polytech announced her appointment.
The Moose Jaw-raised woman explained that she enjoyed her high school accounting classes in the late 1990s, and while considering her future, she became interested in technology’s role in the classroom — an interest that developed as the world prepared for the new millennium and a technological revolution.
She eventually focused on two programs that the then-Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology’s (SIAST) Moose Jaw campus offered: a business diploma in accountancy and a diploma in computer information systems.
“So, it seemed like a no-brainer at the time to take both of those programs,” Craig said. “I had a really good experience (there). I felt like it was a very easy transition from high school to Sask. Polytech.”
What Craig appreciated were the small class sizes, the fact instructors knew students’ names, and being in a close-knit community where she could spend time outside of school socializing with classmates and developing friendships.
The support from instructors stood out the most because they were willing to help students outside of class and ensure they understood the curriculum.
“They were so gracious with us. You could tell they really cared and they wanted us to succeed,” said Craig. “And I would say that’s the same today.”
After convocating in 2001, Craig landed a job with the Canadian Revenue Agency as an auditor, where she gained experience and pursued advanced accounting education. Five years later, she returned to Sask. Polytech as an accountancy instructor.
Adult education always interested the Moose Javian, while she also wanted to share her knowledge with others. When the instructor position opened in 2005, she pursued it because the timing was right in her life.
“It was exciting (to return). I was excited to share my industry experience (and) I was excited to be able to work with some of the faculty who had helped me in my learning journey,” Craig said.
When she joined the faculty, Craig worked — and shared office space — with her previous instructor, Doug Rempel, which was an “extremely positive” experience. Interestingly, their professional lives mirrored one another because when he moved into a new leadership role, so did she.
“I don’t think I would be where I am without having a mentor like Doug,” Craig said, noting he offered opportunities for learning, provided meaningful feedback, and celebrated her successes.
“I always knew he had my best interests at heart, so when he gave me feedback, I knew it was coming from a good place.”
Besides being an instructor, Craig has held six leadership roles since joining the faculty in 2005, including program head, academic chair, acting associate dean, associate dean, interim dean and now dean.
Serving as interim dean of business for six months allowed her to dive into the role, but she didn’t assume she would automatically be made permanent dean afterward. While she learned the position quickly, put in the work and built relationships, she also developed a long-term vision for the school.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been able to do it on an interim basis … ,” Craig said.
While Sask. Polytech offers great programs, she has ideas of how to grow the business school and provide new courses the industry may need. Furthermore, she believes the institution must review how it uses technology and how it can incorporate those tools into instruction so they align with what graduates will use.
Another of Craig’s priorities is to build a better presence in the community and the business industry so both know about the school’s graduates, want to hire them, and want to work with the organization on projects.
“I’m excited about this role. I’m excited to be able to continue working with the team I have … and to see the exciting things they’re doing in the classroom. But also, to be able to serve in a little bit of a different way in this dean role,” Craig said. “So lots of exciting things to come from the school of business … .”
