Dr. Charlotte Enns named Professor Emerita
Dr. Charlotte Enns appointed Professor Emerita in recognition of her contributions to the Faculty of Education. The title is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated distinguished service in administrative leadership, teaching, research, creative and scholarly works, and service to the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Enns’s academic career is marked by her leadership roles and her dedication to inclusive education. She served as Department Head (2009–2014) and Associate Dean (2015–2018) in the Faculty of Education. Alongside her directorial duties, she was a professor in the Department of Educational Administration, Foundations, and Psychology, teaching courses on inclusive education and qualitative research methodology. In 2018, she was appointed Director of the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice.
Her primary research interest lies in multilingual education for deaf students, with a particular focus on recognizing the language and literacy rights of children. Her research has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the National Science Foundation in the United States. In 2013, Dr. Enns and her research team made a groundbreaking contribution by developing the first standardized measure of American Sign Language (ASL). This work continues to ensure that culturally appropriate assessment tools are available within educational programs for deaf children.
Her journey at the University of Manitoba began as a PhD student in Educational Psychology, a decision that reflects her belief in the power of education, “I know it’s very idealistic, but after all these years, I still believe in the power of education to transform, equalize, and bring justice. That’s what drew me into Education,” she explains. As an alumna, Dr. Enns cherishes the community spirit at UM, “I think UofM reflects some of the same paradoxes as Winnipeg in that we have excellent scholars and programs, but we are also very accessible and grounded. I am very grateful that I found such a fulfilling career and position in my hometown at the University of Manitoba.”
Dr. Enns’s advice to students emphasizes the importance of curiosity, “ask questions, be open to new perspectives, and be willing to change your mind. Actually, I think the best advice comes from someone much wiser than me, Thomas King and the characters of the Dead Dog Café, and their words: ‘Stay calm, be brave, and wait for the signs!’”