Hi I’m Anna Mathis
I am a leader, an educator, and a regenerative thinker, passionate about craft & design and lifelong learning.
About Me
Anna Mathis is the Academic Dean and a key member of the Senior Leadership Team at the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (NBCCD), located in Fredericton, NB, Canada. She brings a wealth of experience to this leadership role, grounded in a deep understanding of education, innovation, and the transformative power of craft.
Anna holds a Master of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queens University, a Bachelor of Adult Education from the University of New Brunswick, and diplomas in Fine Craft: Fiber Arts and Foundation Visual Arts from NBCCD. Her journey at the College began as a student, and her dedication has been a consistent driving force throughout her career.
Anna is an international award winner for her textile design and has taught and sold her artwork at Fiber Arts Festivals across Eastern Canada.
When she's not at the college, you can find her in home studio sewing or weaving, in the garden, tending to her bees, brewing wild-foraged wines, or discussing permaculture.
Professional History
My Qualifications
May 2024 - Present
Academic Dean, The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD)
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Providing academic leadership and oversight for all programs at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design.
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Responsible for curriculum development, program quality, and student academic success.
March 2021 - May 2024
Manager, Innovation and Learning Design, The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD)
Member of the senior management team, contributing to college vision and strategic plan.
Coordinating professional development for faculty. Responsible for quality assurance of curriculum, program reviews, budget and related policies.
Hiring and managing the Learning Design team and launching the Learning Design Center September 2022.
Leading business development projects, developing work integrated learning opportunities for students and completing a redesign our of continuing education program: the Honeybee Folk School.
May 2019 – June 2020
(Interim) Assistant Dean, NBCCD
Supporting Academic Dean in scheduling, curriculum development projects, admissions, and other administrative duties.
Maintaining and building strategic alliances with outside partners.
Responsible for all casual instructors.
June 2018 – June 2020
Continuing Education Coordinator, NBCCD
Responsible for the strategic plan, policies, administrative processes and marketing of the LEAP Night Course Series. Organized over 130 courses and brought in 432 participants during the two years.
Development and implementation of new programs: NBCCD Summer Workshop Series, Hoyt Artist Residency, Casemate & Hoyt Student Residencies.
2015 – 2019
Casual Instructor, NBCCD
Fostering a positive learning environment and developing course content.
Management of an annual student field trip; 20+ students to Halifax, NS, for 4 days to participate and represent the NBCCD in the Craft East Buyers Expo.
2014 - 2019
Founder, Ploome Fiber Arts
Managing business operations, including the development of new products, operating budget, client relations and annual cycle of production and sales.
Organizing advertising and instructing many workshops, private lessons and teaching at various festivals around the Maritimes and in Quebec.
Using a variety of digital tools to enhance sales, customer communication, feedback and organization. Reaching customers through social media, my website, monthly newsletter, Etsy, Eventbrite, Ravelry etc.
Educational History
Learning and Living
Masters of Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
2024
Queen's University, Smith School of Business
Bachelor of Education in Adult Education
2016
University of New Brunswick
4.0 GPA
Diploma in Fine Craft: Fibre Arts
2014
The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design
Foundation Visual Arts Certificate
2012
The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design
"If we observed these behaviours between humans we would say, “She loves that person.” You might also observe these actions between a person and a bit of carefully tended ground and say, “She loves that garden.” Why then... would you not make the leap to say that garden loves her back?"