Teamwork Excellence 2026: UFV’s Brightspace team recognized for major learning system rollout

When the University of the Fraser Valley transitioned to a modern learning management system (LMS) in 2025, the Brightspace Implementation Team played a key role in making it happen.

The team took on a complex project with energy and enthusiasm, helping advance UFV’s goal of providing accessible, high-quality education. In addition to being able to take pride in a job well done, the group is also being recognized with the 2026 UFV Teamwork Excellence Award.

The team members included Lisa Duncan, Mykal Machon, Hashal Patel, and Rush Patel from ITS, joined by four learning designers and specialists from UFV’s Teaching and Learning Centre: Courtney Boisvert, Fizza Haider, Michelle Johnson, and Soowook Kim, as well as additional members who contributed to the project’s success.

The LMS is the software students and instructors use to support teaching and learning. Students use it to access online courses, submit assignments, and communicate with classmates and instructors. Faculty use it to organize and share course materials and learning activities.

Rather than taking a top-down approach, the team focused on collaboration throughout the process. Jackie Hogan, recently retired from her role as UFV’s vice-president administration, said the group gathered extensive feedback from faculty and students before making decisions. Twenty-four faculty members from seven schools, along with 20 students from five schools, took part in focus groups.

“This approach ensured that the voices of those most impacted — our faculty and students — were central to the decision-making process,” Jackie noted.

Jackie said the team created an environment where all voices were heard and respected. Team members communicated clearly and supportively while helping instructors and staff adapt to the new system. They offered training sessions, one-on-one consultations, customized resources, and instructional materials to support the transition.

Faculty champions also played a role by helping with pilot training and peer support.

“The team’s unwavering commitment to supporting faculty and students throughout the migration to Brightspace demonstrated a deep understanding of our diverse community’s needs,” Jackie observed. “By offering one-on-one support, clear guidance, and ongoing assistance before, during, and after the transition, they ensured that everyone could embrace Brightspace.”

The team worked hard to make sure users felt supported on the technical side of the transition. Their proactive approach helped reduce stress, minimize disruption, and create a smooth experience during a major institutional change.

Chris Campbell, UFV’s Director, Program Development and Quality Assurance, appreciated the support.

“ITS was lightning-fast at responding to my requests and solving technical issues,” he said. “They never left me waiting, and that was really appreciated.”

The project included a pilot during the winter 2024 semester, followed by a gradual rollout leading up to the August 2025 launch.

“One of the highlights for me was the pilot phase early in the project,” said team member Lisa Duncan. “Hearing positive feedback from instructors and students about the benefits they were experiencing really helped keep the momentum going. I also really appreciated how dedicated and collaborative the team was. Everyone stepped up to support each other and make sure the transition went as smoothly as possible.”

Katie Tuck, UFV’s chief information officer, said meeting deadlines for a project of this magnitude required effective coordination.

“The team managed overlapping timelines for training, course migration, system configuration, and communication rollouts while maintaining day-to-day support services,” Katie noted. “Completing the transition on schedule, with strong faculty satisfaction and virtually no negative feedback, speaks to their dedication.”

Team members worked closely together throughout the project, supporting one another and responding quickly to challenges as they arose.

“The most rewarding part of this project was working with a diverse group of colleagues, many of whom I hadn’t worked with before,” said Michelle Johnson. “Since I’m based on the Chilliwack campus, being part of the Brightspace implementation helped me feel more connected to the broader UFV community.

“And my experience working with faculty on the Chilliwack campus made it easier to answer questions and support all faculty confidently. That made the experience very meaningful.”

Michelle said each team member brought a different perspective to discussions around budget, timelines, technical needs, and support for faculty, staff, and students.

“My focus was on faculty, and I often thought about how they would respond to the changes, what support they would need, and how messages would be received,” Michelle said. “I would often ask, ‘How will this work for faculty?’

“I always felt that my input was valued, especially because of my direct experience working with faculty.”

The result of the team’s work is a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for current and future students, reinforcing UFV’s role as a responsive and innovative institution.

The most rewarding part for me was seeing the impact the project had across the university community,” Lisa Duncan said. “The LMS isn’t just being used for faculty and student courses, but also for workshops, staff training, and many other areas.”

Eric Welsh — eric.welsh@ufv.ca