New ALEP Chairperson: Matt Dwyer, AIA, ALEP, Australasian Member

For Immediate Release

January 4, 2023

Contact:
Donna Robinson, CMM, CMP

The Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) is the professional designation of the Association and signifies excellence in the industry. It is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and identify those in the educational environment industry who demonstrate the core competencies essential to the practice of planning, designing, equipping and maintaining educational environments.

Why did Matt choose to become an ALEP?
As a passionate and experienced education Architect, I was keen to have my expertise and dedication recognised. Hence, the reason for obtaining the ALEP designation. As an employer I was keen to invest in colleagues and strengthen our practices credentials. Our joint learning is used every day for mentoring, stakeholder engagement and educational facility design. The designation has added credibility and become differentiator when pitching for projects.

I became an ALEP through the experience practitioner process. The dossier submission and interview were a chance to reflect on my community contribution and affirm my experience across the seven competencies that are aligned with my work in Australasia. For those with less experience the Advanced Academy is the perfect way to strengthen your skills and confidence from education visioning to assessment of the learning environment.

Greater network opportunities have led me to become an ALEP Commissioner and first International Chairperson of the Commission. My contribution to the A4LE community has increased with participation at Learning Scapes, conference content selection and attendance at international board meetings. Plus, I’ve met some equally passionate people along the way providing peer learning and shared cultural experiences.

There are many A4LE members from varying professional backgrounds that would meet the requirements of the experienced practitioner route. I strongly encourage these members to consider becoming an ALEP, a leader and advocate for innovative and purposeful learning environments.

I would like to acknowledge the great leadership demonstrated by our previous Chairperson Julia Hawkinson. Julia’s dedication and thoughtfulness will be missed.

What’s the Commission’s strategy for the next 3 years?
The next 3 years will focus on building awareness of the designation, growing membership across all regions and continuing to define, assess and award the ALEP designation. We have recently appointed new Commission members who come with passion and new ideas. Combined with existing member experience and a robust organisational foundation we are excited about the future of ALEP.

Opportunities exist for ALEP’s to join the Commission in 2023 through the ‘Call to Service’ process recently advertised and future correspondence will advise how to register for the Advanced Academy course and experienced practitioner submission.

An ALEP is dedicated to improving the places where students learn through comprehensive planning with all stakeholders. Equipped with a strong understanding of learning styles and instructional methodology, an ALEP has the skills and expertise to influence the entire process. Encouraging alignment of the education vision and learning environment an ALEP creates an inspiring, safe, and healthy place that engages all educators and students in teaching and learning.

Providing leadership and stewardship, an ALEP facilitates responsible investment of public and private funding of school facilities, and advocates for high-quality learning environments and long-term inclusive solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders.