As coordinator of Niagara College’s Human Resource programs, Holly Catalfamo brings both experience and enthusiasm to the Niagara Research table.

Holly has made applied research and innovation a major focus during her time at the college, acting as a faculty lead on projects as well as getting students in the Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) and Human Resources Management Graduate programs to take part in course-based research projects.

Ventures that Holly has played a lead role on include a course-based project for her students that saw them participate in a partnership between Niagara College and Ntinga, an economic development agency in South Africa.

Holly’s students had the opportunity to work with Jeffery Sinclair, the college’s liaison in South Africa, to identify present learning gaps for clients at the agency, and provide potential solutions. Another course-based project that Holly’s students participated in was a human resources analysis for the Niagara Land Trust.

Her students reviewed the human resources policies and procedures for the non-profit organization, giving them invaluable curriculum-related experience with an industry partner.

“In my opinion, having students have the opportunity to engage with people in industry on something that is of use to the partner, is raising the bar for the interest that the students have and the education they gain,” Holly said in her own words.

Holly has also been a faculty lead on several standalone projects at Niagara Research, including “Applied Research in the Postsecondary Classroom.” an evaluation of applied research and ”A Second Career and a Second Chance,” an examination of Ontario’s Second Career program. She has presented findings from her research to the International Society for Educational Planners, the College Degree Operating Group and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Her Second Career study was also published in the Journal of the International Society for Education Planning.

Holly’s experience with research began while she was studying for her Doctorate of Education at Brock University, which she received in 2000. She has taught at Niagara College since 2003.