Lloyd Desjarlais

Biography

Lloyd Desjarlais is Dean of Indigenous Initiatives at Red Deer Polytechnic. 

He is responsible for the implementation of the Red Deer Polytechnic Reconcili-Action Plan 2023-2028. Through this plan, Lloyd plays an integral role in the Indigenization of Red Deer Polytechnic. 

Under Lloyd’s leadership, Red Deer Polytechnic was selected as the Gold Award recipient of the College and Institutes Canada Awards of Excellence in 2023.

Lloyd completed a B.A. with a double major in political science and history from the University of Calgary and his M.A. in Higher Education Administration and Leadership through Royal Roads University. His main areas of focus were on Canada-Indigenous relations and the Indigenization of higher education. 

Lloyd’s professional experience includes working on-reserve in K-12 education, both as an educational assistant and school administrator. He has also worked as a First Nations health manager and as an executive director of community development in the non-profit sector. 

With the post-secondary sector, Lloyd's career experience includes roles such as Indigenous Student Services Generalist, Indigenous Student Services Coordinator, Manager of Indigenous Initiatives, and Director of Indigenous Initiatives. 

Education

M.A. (Higher Education Administration and Leadership), Royal Roads University  

B.A. (dual major in Political Science and History), University of Calgary