The OCQAS operates within the structure of the Colleges Ontario, and is responsible to a separate Management Board. The staffing model of the OCQAS ensures that the services provided to colleges will be in the language of operation for the colleges: French-language service to the French-language colleges, and English-language service to the English-language colleges.

We are proud of our vision and our work to ensure quality and consistency across the post-secondary education system. If you’d like to learn more about our vision and what we do, please visit here.

We also have a dedicated Management Board that provides us with guidance and support. If you’d like to learn more about our management board, please click here.

  • Head shot of Karen

    Karen Belfer, PhD

    Executive Director

    Karen oversees the self-regulatory mechanisms for the public colleges in Ontario and is responsible for the operation of the Credentials Validation Service and the College Quality Assurance Audit Process.

    Prior to joining OCQAS, Karen was Dean of the Centre for Instructional Development and Applied Research at Vancouver Community College (VCC), a unit responsible for college-wide instructional development, program review, curriculum development, educational technology and applied research. She was also responsible for the School of Instructor Education, Centre for Business Studies, and the School of Arts and Science – University Transfer and College Foundations.

    As an Educational Consultant for the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), University of British Columbia (UBC) and Technical University of British Columbia (TechBC), her focus was the design and implementation of new educational approaches and technologies to enhance the teaching and learning process.

  • Sylvie Mainville, M.Ed.

    Quality Assurance Manager

    Sylvie is the newest full-time member of the OCQAS team.  Her studies in linguistics, psychology and education led her to teach preschool to senior-aged students in a variety of settings including schools, colleges, non-profit agencies, corporations, and even for members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

    She now comes to OCQAS from Cambrian College where she managed all QA processes and mechanisms including new program development and program review, policy and procedure redaction, and all course, program and institution level accreditations and audits. At Cambrian, Sylvie established and actioned an audit process to review third-party educational institutions. She recently completed a second 3-year term on the Francophone Advisory Committee at Northern Ontario School of Medicine, since 1995, she has supported and holds dear to her heart Le Centre Victoria pour femmes, and volunteers with a local high school.

    “I bring dedication, accountability, attention to detail, creative ideas, and always a smile”