Shelly Lyons is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the undergraduate Organizational Management program at Crandall University in Moncton, NB.  Lyons is a strong believer in engaging learners through dialogue education, instilling the joy of learning, and encouraging success in the educational journey.

Prior to her career in higher education, Lyons spent many years in the not-for-profit sector.  Her work has taken her around the globe leading teams and programs.  Lyons was instrumental in developing and organizing a variety of programs including leadership development, orientation and re-entry for international workers, and transition for TCKs (Third Culture Kids).  TCKs are children who have spent a significant number of their development years in a country other than their passport country.

Lyons’ current research will investigate the role of spiritual self-leadership in the lives of Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs). ATCKs possess a wealth of skills and experiences which will be increasingly valuable in our diverse society and workplaces. However, due to their high childhood mobility, they often struggle with identity development and a sense of belonging. Lyons will employ narrative inquiry to explore how spiritual self-leadership can encourage identity development and sense of belonging in ATCKs in order for them to fully realize their potential and value contribution in the workplace.

This research also has the potential to impact a wider group of individuals, such as adults who have worked internationally, newcomers to Canada, and 1.5 and second generation immigrants.

Lyons holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Crandall University (2007) and a Master of Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University (2012). She is the recipient of the BC Graduate Scholarship and Mitacs Accelerate, in partnership with Outreach Canada, for $120,000. Her paper “Beyond a Leap of Faith: Leadership Spirituality in the Workplace”, which she co-authored with her dissertation supervisor, Dr. Carolin Rekar Munro, was presented and published full text as part of Royal Roads’ first doctoral conference. She also presented her paper “Adult Third Culture Kid’s (ATCK’s) Journey to Belonging through Blogs and Podcasts” at the International Conference on Communication and Management.