Smith Engineering is pleased to host the Fourth Annual CBA Symposium on the Queen’s University campus in Kingston on May 21 and 22, 2026. Here are just a few of the new additions to the event that you won’t want to miss:
Read on for the full lineup and details
Registration Open Now!
Deadline extended to May 11
Go to Accommodations
Special Room Rates still available
Lauren Singelmann, Darcie Christensen, Assistant Professors of Integrated Engineering at Minnesota State University, Iron Range Engineering program
Abstract: Iron Range Engineering is an accredited, work‑based undergraduate program that has been recognized as a global innovator in engineering education. They are focused on helping students gain authentic engineering experience through full‑time work and study. Because students earn academic credit through a variety of internships and cooperative experiences, assessment can be challenging. Competency‑based assessment has enabled structured yet flexible approaches to evaluating student outcomes across design, professionalism, and technical learning experiences. Drs. Singelmann and Christensen will share their journey of implementing competency‑based assessment, beginning with small‑scale course implementations and evolving into a program‑wide approach.
About the speakers:
Drs. Lauren Singelmann and Darcie Christensen are Assistant Professors of Integrated Engineering at Minnesota State University, Mankato, with the Iron Range Engineering program. Dr. Singelmann teaches courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Her research background is in Engineering Education, with a focus on alternative grading and AI literacy. Dr. Christensen teaches courses in Mechanical and Environmental Engineering. Her research background is in Engineering Education, with a focus on peer mentorship and alternative grading. Both Drs. Singelmann and Christensen also teach courses in Engineering Design and Professionalism, which led them to initiate a competency‑based redesign of these courses for Iron Range Engineering following implementation in their technical courses. Together, they have offered professional development for faculty at both the university and international conference levels for those interested in shifting toward alternative grading practices.
Patrick Mainville, Dean, and Marlaina Riggio, Professor, Collège La Cité
Abstract: Discover how College La Cité is transforming Engineering Technology Education by fully embracing a competency-based approach. Our model places learning “while doing” at the center, emphasizing the development of tangible artifacts, practical techniques, professional behaviors, and complex know-how. Through continuous, authentic assessment and rubrics, students are not only equipped with essential skills but are also empowered to apply them confidently in real-world contexts. This session will showcase the strategies, outcomes, and lessons learned from implementing competency-based education at scale, offering insights for educators worldwide seeking to align teaching, learning, and assessment with the demands of modern professional practice.
About the speakers:
Patrick is the Dean of the Skilled Trades and Engineering Institute,at the Agri-Food Institute and the Technology, Arts and Communication Institute at College La Cité in Ottawa overseeing 50 postsecondary, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. He is a Management Executive with more than 20 years of experience in people management, project management, enrolment strategy, educational training and relationship management for both start-ups, and postsecondary institutions. He also can identify complex variables that can accelerate business growth and sustainable apprenticeship and postsecondary programs. He has a solid track record of developing innovative marketing plans, attaining targets, and building long lasting business relationships. As a Francophone in a minority setting in Canada, he advocates for equity for all underrepresented groups.
Marlaina began her love affair with language teaching and learning over 15 years ago. After completing her Bachelors in French Studies in Toronto, Canada, she gained international teaching experience, and later completed her Master’s in Education to deepen her expertise in second language teaching and acquisition. Currently, Marlaina is a full-time English professor in the Skilled Trades Institute and coordinator for the English language faculty at La Cité. She has played a key role in multiple curriculum development initiatives, including designing and implementing five ESL/EAP courses and two specialized English courses, using a competency-based approach. Additionally, she has integrated and developed various features of Brightspace, including an online English community for faculty members in order to facilitate communication and sharing of resources. She has also had the pleasure of conducting several pedagogical workshops in Canada, Mexico, and China
Wendy James, Director of the University of Saskatchewan teaching and learning center
Abstract: This keynote will explore how GenAI is reshaping both what we assess and how we assess it and will highlight why competency‑based approaches are uniquely positioned to leverage these shifts. Attendees will gain insight into the long‑term opportunities created when assessment practices evolve across multiple years of a program. The keynote will illuminate the transformative potential of competency‑based systems and outline the key stages involved in building secure, scalable, and meaningful assessments that align with this emerging landscape.
About the speaker:
Dr. Wendy James is the Director of the University of Saskatchewan teaching and learning center, The Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning. Wendy has supported assessment transition in both K-12 and Higher Education for the last several decades, predominantly through work in program and course-based assessment redesign to help programs match their goals with the assessment method they select. In the last three years, Wendy has worked globally through the Digital Education Council to support readiness assessment for generative artificial intelligence in higher education, co-authored the Bayview Alliance’s guidance for Collaborative Leadership for Student Learning Outcomes Assessment, lead the University of Saskatchewan’s work on faculty, student and staff AI literacy, and coordinated revisions to the University of Saskatchewan’s current assessment policy and procedures.
| Pre-Event: May 20. Location: Mitchell 225 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 19:00 |
Introduction to CBA Guiding Principles for Newcomers (Hybrid) Sean Maw, University of Saskatchewan |
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| Day 1: May 21 AM. Location: Mitchell 225 | ||
| 9:00 | Welcome, Opening | |
| 9:10 | CBA Overview and Landscape | |
| 9:35 |
PLENARY 1: Assessing Learning Across Work and Study: A Competency‑Based Approach at Iron Range Engineering Lauren Singelmann, Darcie Christensen, Minnesota State University |
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| 10:30 | Break | |
| 10:50 |
Community Presentations 10:50: CBA Thread Through 3rd Year Mechanical Eng 11:10: Live Grading to Support Assessment in Project-Based Engineering Courses in 1st Year 11:25: CBA Design and Implementation in a Large 1st Year Mechanics Course 11:40: CBA in 4th Year Design and Technical Elective Courses |
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| 12:00 | Panel: Community Presenter Q and A | |
| 12:15 | Lunch in Mitchell 225 | |
| 13:15 |
PLENARY 2: CBA in the engineering technology programs at Collège La Cité Marlaina Riggio,Collège La Cité |
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| 14:00 | Workshops/Interactive Sessions | |
| Mitchell 225 | Mitchell 235 | |
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Educational technology for CBA: approaches to tracking competencies Wendy James (USask), Brian Frank (Queens), Lauren Singelmann (Minnesota State U) (Mitch 235) |
Implementing Program level CBA: A facilitated discussion Sean Maw (USask), Marlaina Riggio (CLC) , Darcie Christinesen (Minnesota State U) (Mitch 225) |
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| 15:45 | Synthesis and Goals for day 2 | |
| Day 2: May 22 AM. Location: Mitchell 225 | ||
| 9:00 | Synthesis and plan for Day 2 | |
| 9:15 |
PLENARY 3: Generative AI and Competency-based Assessment Wendy James, University of Saskatchewan |
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| 10:00 | Synthesis and analysis | |
| 10:15 |
Panel: Student experiences with CBA Ryley Moody, USask, Amna Hasnain, Queens |
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| 10:45 | Break | |
| 11:05 |
CBA in other professions Sunita Mathar, Physiotherapy, Queens |
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| 11:35 | Community Presentations | |
| Mitchell 225 | Mitchell 235 | |
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Facilitated Studies for Self-Assessment and Development of GAs 7-10 Focusing on EDI and Life-Long Learning Amy Hsiao, UPEI |
Competency-Based Assessment Applied to a Third Year Strength of Materials Course Matthew Kaye, OnTechU |
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| 11:45 |
Reconsidering Competency-Based Assessment in the Age of AI Qin Liu, Fiona Coll, Shurui Zhou, Salma Emara, U of T |
Third Year Civil Engineering Field Course - Design Engineering Sean Watt, RMC |
| 11:55 |
After-Math: a study in alignment of a remedial calculus course Shai Cohen, U of T |
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| 12:00 | Synthesis and analysis | |
| 12:15 | Lunch in Mitchell 225 | |
| 13:15 | Workshops | |
| Mitchell 225 | Mitchell 235 | |
|
Course Design Workshop Lauren Singelmann, Darcie Christensen, (Minnesota State U) |
Emerging Technologies for CBA Wendy James (USask), Brian Frank(Queens), Marlaina Riggio(CLC) |
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| 15:15 | Break | |
| 15:30 |
Closing Activities:
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We are anticipating more out of town participants than ever this year, and have been able to obtain Symposium Special Rates at three fantastic local options so as to accommodate a variety of travel budgets and location preferences.
These special rates were supposed to only be available until April 24, but all three of our options have generously agreed to extend the rate for us, subject to availability. If you have any issue getting registered at the right rate, please contact alexandra.downie@queensu.ca to be connected with the correct person and get things sorted.
Option 1: Kingston Marriott (downtown) available rooms at special room rate
VERY newly renovated and located just off Market Square downtown, the hotel is located within walking distance of campus. ($229/night; $35/night for parking plus applicable taxes)
Option 2: DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston available rooms at special rate
Recently renovated, located near the train station and an easy drive/cab ride to campus ($184/night, free parking, and 15% off on site restaurant, plus applicable taxes)
Option 3: Queen's Residence available rooms - standard and premium
Located right ON campus, and one block from the waterfront, these are two bedrooms/units in either standard or premium ($125 and $140/night, plus applicable taxes).
Travelling to and from Kingston:
By Train: VIA Rail Canada
By Bus: Trip to Kingston | megabus
By Car: Kingston lies about halfway between Toronto and Montreal along Hwy 401. By car, it is about 2-3 hours from each of these cities, and about 2 hours from Ottawa.
See the Visit Queen's page for more detailed information on how to get here.
More info:
We welcome our francophone colleagues to the conference. Sessions will be delivered in English, with a bilingual group facilitator for working group activities.
Now in its fourth year, the CBA Symposium brings together engineering educators, interested professionals, and graduate students to explore topics relating to competency-based assessment. As we plan each symposium we are building on successful elements of the previous years.
