N4 / SPU Newcomer Navigation Online Program

Interim Dean of the Faculties of Human Sciences and Philosophy
Associate Professor in the Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality

Dr. Lorraine holds a Master of Arts in Theology (Ethics) from Saint Paul University and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) in which she focused on the impact of language in change processes and  leadership development. Dr. Lorraine’s research brings together resources from a number of disciplines in her search for strengthening reflective practice as a tool for building leadership capacity.

Alongside her academic education, she is trained in process developmental coaching, immunity-to-change mapping, conflict resolution, and in the design and facilitation of awareness-based systems change (Theory U/Presencing).

Associate Professor in the School of Ethics, Social Justice and Public Service

Hailing from Winnipeg and living in Ottawa with his family, Dr. Matthew McLennan is an Associate Professor in the School of Ethics, Social Justice and Public Service at Saint Paul University, where he has taught since 2014.

Dr. Matthew's research expertise is in ethics, social and political philosophy, and vulnerability. He was privileged and humbled to co-sponsor a newcomer to Canada through the Blender Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) program in 2018-19, and the experience was formative for his involvement in N4.

Dr. Rajesh C. Shukla is an Associate Professor at the School of Ethics, Social Justice and Public Service, Faculty of Philosophy, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. His research interests reside at the intersections of moral and political philosophy, focusing particularly on the conceptions of friendship and justice, migration and immigration, ethics and public policy, secularism and democratic citizenship.

Rajesh has published in the following journals: Theoforum (2018); Annales: Ethics in Economic Life (2018); French Journal of Media Research (2018 & 2016); Frontiers of Philosophy in China (2014); East and West Thought (2014); Toronto Slavic Quarterly (2013); Contemporary Thought (2013); Philosophy, Culture and Tradition (2013); Maritain Studies (2013); and Existenz (2011). He has served as the guest editor for the Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Tradition (2013), and French Journal of Media Research (2018), and has co-edited books with his colleagues.

Rajesh’s current research is devoted to understanding the impact migration and immigration on the functioning of democratic societies and welfare states. In addition, he is also editing works on “Ethics and Public Life” and leads a research group on “Ethics and Public Policy” at Saint Paul University.

Dr. Aliaa Dakroury is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Communication, Saint Paul University. She holds a PhD from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication. She taught at the University of Ottawa’s Department of Communication and Carleton University’s Departments of Sociology and Anthropology, Law, and Journalism and Communication. Her fields of interest are: communication rights; history of communication; globalization and information technology; governance and Canadian media policy; social justice and cultural rights; and Islam and media representation.

Dr. Dakroury has taught various classes on a variety of subject, such as: Media Ethics; Media and Great Social Debates; Knowing the Media; Interpersonal Communication; Organizational Communication; Electronic Journalism; Theories of Mediated Communication; Media and Religion; Women, media and Islam, among others. Dr. Dakroury is the co-editor of the Global Media Journal—Canadian Edition, and her publications appear in various journals, including the Journal of International Communication, Media Development, the American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Studies in Contemporary Culture, the Journal of InterGroup Relations, the Global Media Journal, the Journal of Culture, Language, and Representation, among others

Dr. Nalini Ramlakhan holds an MA in philosophy, a PhD in cognitive science, a certificate in university teaching, as well as a certificate in practical ethics. She has been developing and teaching courses in philosophy, cognitive science, and psychology since 2014. Her interests are in moral psychology and ethics, with an emphasis on moral decision making.

Her work is interdisciplinary, allowing for a well-rounded approach to teaching and research. She has recently published a chapter in Ethics without Self, Dharma without Atman: Western and Buddhist Philosophical Traditions in Dialogue, and is engaged in understanding ethical and moral decision making from many perspectives.

Dr. Ramlakhan has taught many ethics courses, such as Introduction to Ethics and Social Issues, Selected Topics in Ethics, Utilitarian Ethics, and Ethics in Psychology. Having a passion and interest in teaching ethical and social issues, as well a deep understanding of, and sensitivity to, cultural differences, she is honoured and pleased to be a part of the N4 program, and to make a difference in the lives of the students she teaches.

“I chose to be a part of the N4 project because the entire program seemed very exciting to me and gives me the opportunity to work with students at St. Paul as well as those who are serving newcomers to Canada. I am also very interested in ethics and concepts such as social justice and fairness, and applying theories regarding cultural values, community, and a sense of belonging. I think this program is a wonderful way to contribute to improving the welcoming of newcomers, and I am proud to be a part of it."

Stephanie Larrue, MA, GradDip, RP, MFT, CCC, PhD. (Candidate.) is a Part-Time Professor at Saint-Paul University since 2010, teaching communication, counselling, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills and ethics. She is also a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario and a Marriage and Family Therapist in Quebec, working in private practice in individual, couples and family therapy. She is finishing her PhD. thesis under the supervision of Dr. Laura Armstrong, Clinical Psychologist, specializing in therapy for blended families, therapeutic alliance and spirituality. She has been publishing and speaking on the topics of family therapy, blended family issues, transcendence, transpersonal psychology and the therapeutic use of self.

As the one teaching the course IPA 3123: The Helping Relationships and Ethical Considerations, I am excited to be part of the National Newcomer Navigation Network. I hope my course can assist students in strengthening their sense of effectiveness in their everyday practice and in the more challenging moments while developing new tools for dealing with ethical dilemmas. The course is experiential and allows students to explore how their personal self is an integral part of their professional life and an important aspect of how they relate to those they want to empower. The approach of the course is holistic and delves into values, morality, ethics, spirituality, as well as clinical, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills through various ethical applications based on one’s own work experience.

Natalie Dupuis is currently a PhD Candidate in Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University with a research focus in conflict resolution theory's impact on community mediation practice. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Ottawa, an MA in Conflict Studies from Saint Paul University, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution from Carleton University.

Her professional and volunteer experience has been varied and includes positions such as teaching English as a Foreign Language in South Korea, providing hospitality services to pilgrims to the Holy Land in Jerusalem, Isreal and serving as a Conflict Resolution Practitioner with Community Mediation Ottawa and the Government of Canada.

As a part-time professor with Saint Paul University since 2017, her courses offer a blend of conflict resolution theory and practice, preparing students for work in fields in or related to conflict resolution.

Natalie's breadth of education and experience both at home and abroad has deeply influenced her approach to dispute resolution education and training and she is honoured to offer her energy and experience in service of Canada's newcomers through the N4 program.