Liza Schaefer

Senior higher education leader with 30+ years spanning academic strategy, executive education, governance, quality assurance, student success and institutional operations. Combines senior leadership experience with hands-on expertise in examinations, HEMIS/SAPSE reporting, timetabling, curriculum, faculty development and digital learning. Known for turning policy and strategy into practical systems, programmes and capability that strengthen academic quality, student outcomes and institutional performance.

Head of Learning and Teaching - REGENESYS EDUCATION - Johannesburg, South Africa

(2022-05 - 2026-09)

Lead the institution’s learning and teaching portfolio, academic capability and student-development agenda across multiple schools and academic support functions.

• Lead and coordinate learning and teaching practices across the institution, working with the Dean/Rector, Chief Academic Officer, Heads of Schools, Academic Heads, Assessment, Curriculum, Quality and Assurance, Registrar and Knowledge Development teams.
• Set strategic direction for the learning and teaching portfolio, including Personal Mastery, the Academic Centre of Excellence and the Training and Development Unit.
• Chair the Learning and Teaching Committee and Community Engagement Committee; participate in Senate, Academic Board and other academic governance structures.
• Oversee a multidisciplinary team of six direct reports, including academic, learning-design, learning-and-development and student-support roles.
• Cultivate faculty capability in contact, blended, digital and technology-enabled teaching methods.
• Facilitate executive and corporate education sessions, including People-Centric Conversations, Business Management, Marketing, and Personal Mastery modules.
• Accountable for the Personal Mastery module across CHE-accredited qualifications at Foundational, Intermediate and Advanced level, covering Academic Skills (IQ) Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Spiritual Intelligence (SQ), Physical Intelligence (PQ), Financial Intelligence (FQ) and Professional Intelligence (ProQ) sub-modules.
• Implement and continuously improve learning and teaching policy in line with institutional strategy, graduate attributes, and quality expectations.
• Maintain awareness of Council on Higher Education (CHE), Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF), Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), UmalUmalusi, andlity Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) requirements related to curriculum, accreditation, and teaching practice.
• Lead academic development sessions for facilitators, tutors and support departments, and manage the Training and Development Unit responsible for facilitator observation, coaching and professional development.
• Oversee the Academic Centre of Excellence as a mechanism for academic support, personal development, student success and attrition reduction; co-create ACE and ACE Access bridging curricula.
• Ensure high-quality curriculum content and delivery mechanisms in collaboration with the Curriculum Department, the Quality and Accreditation Office, and Knowledge Development Department.
• Support the integration of community engagement and Work-Integrated Learning into the curriculum.
• Support the integration of the Artificial Intelligence module across the curriculum
• Prepare learning and teaching reports, narratives and evidence for CHE institutional audits, Higher Education Practice Standards, and Self-Evaluation Reports.
• Monitor teaching effectiveness and student risk, and ensure compliance with institutional Learning and Teaching, Student Success and Artificial Intelligence policies.
• Training and Development Unit received the Academic Excellence and RegiStars Department Award in 2024.
• Personal Mastery and Academic Centre of Excellence projects received joint Academic Excellence recognition.
• Received individual RegiStars recognition for Best Mentorship and Best Positive Attitude.
• Appointed to the Internationalisation and Collaborations Committee (ICC) - 1 June 2026

Instructional Material Designer – Managerial Economics MBA - REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL - Remote

(2021-07 - 2021-12)

• Rewrote the MBA Managerial Economics module, including the module guide, learning outcomes, and assessment outcomes.
• Designed assignment questions, solutions, rubrics, examination papers and memoranda aligned to NQF expectations and current business issues.
• Designed and developed real-life case studies to strengthen relevance and application at MBA level.

Instructional Material Designer – Supply Chain Management - MANCOSA - Remote

(2021-04 - 2021-12)

• Wrote the Supply Chain: Integration and Alignment module, including module-guide frameworks, learning outcomes and assessment outcomes.
• Designed assignment questions, case-based solutions, rubrics, examination papers and memoranda aligned to NQF assessment criteria.

BBA Degree Programme Coordinator and Online Tutor - MSC EDUCATION HOLDINGS – HEAD OFFICE - Remote

(2020-07 - 2021-06)

• Managed and guided six online tutors through virtual coordination meetings and ongoing leadership support.
• Tracked requirements for the BBA online degree and oversaw weekly tutor presentations for the Electronic Learning Platform.
• Designed blended and digital learning material aligned to module outcomes and online teaching requirements.
• Built collaborative relationships with tutors and students through WhatsApp groups, the Electronic Learning Platform and Google Classroom.
• Oversaw groups of approximately 60–80 students, providing individual and group tutoring in targeted subject areas.
• Created study resources for the LMS and marked assignments, formative assessments and examinations while supporting students’ academic progress.

Managing Director - SCHAEFER RESEARCH & LEARNING - Pretoria, South Africa

(2006-09 - 2020)

Concurrent with other professional appointments during portions of this period.

• Consulted to higher education and primary education institutions on learning, teaching, curriculum and operational improvement matters.
• Project-managed education projects for private higher education institutions, ensuring completion of practical and interactive learning initiatives.
• Designed and developed traditional, hybrid and online learning material across business, finance, economics, HR, project management, supply chain and related modules.
• Drafted education-related policies aligned to South African government legislation and institutional requirements.
• Applied strategic problem-solving and organisational skills to improve educational processes and institutional effectiveness.

Associate Director - SCHAEFER MANAGEMENT CONSULTING - Pretoria, South Africa

(2013-09 - 2016)

Concurrent professional appointment.

• Provided management consulting support to improve internal processes, frameworks and value propositions for institutional and corporate clients.
• Developed policies and procedures for academic institutions.
• Produced playbooks and presentations on business design, change management, employee engagement, and HR transformation.
• Prepared budgeting and forecasting analyses to support programme profitability and built networks to generate new business opportunities.

Research and Book Development - MSC EDUCATION HOLDINGS – HEAD OFFICE

(2001-04 - 2012)

Concurrent with Schaefer Research & Learning from 2006.

• Developed SAQA-aligned learner guides, facilitator guides and assessment guides using SAQA Unit Standards for Business and Administration Studies modules.
• Prepared documentation for SAQA submissions relating to developed modules.
• Presented corporate workshops across business and administration course areas.

SAPSE / HEMIS Officer - BORDER TECHNIKON / WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY - East London, South Africa

(1997-05 - 2000-12)

• Project-managed SAPSE submissions and institutional information required for subsidy allocation.
• Provided data analytics, forecasting analysis, institutional research and business intelligence to support senior management decision-making.
• Managed the academic structure on the institutional IT database and compiled lecturer timetables for instructional courses.

Examination Officer - BORDER TECHNIKON / WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY - East London, South Africa

(1995-05 - 1997-04)

• Managed institution-wide mid-year, end-year and supplementary examination processes.
• Developed examination timetables, appointed invigilators, controlled scripts and coordinated release of marks with Senate approval.
• Maintained examination records, liaised with lecturers and moderators, supported re-mark processes and prepared documentation for graduation ceremonies.
• Attended Senate and disciplinary committee meetings relating to examination matters.

Assistant Examination Officer - BORDER TECHNIKON / WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY - East London, South Africa

(1993-05 - 1995-04)

• Assisted with examination administration, including preparation of examination scripts, processing marks, distribution to examiners and moderators, and recording results.
• Prepared and typed graduation certificates and assisted with annual first-year student registration.

Business Studies and Marketing Management Teacher - INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BOPHUTHATSWANA - Mafikeng, Southern Africa

(1992-05 - 1992-12)

• Taught Business Studies and Marketing Management to O-level and A-level students.
• Prepared lesson plans and marked assignments, assessments, and examinations.
• Taught the lifesaving component of Physical Education and coached the Girls’ U18 basketball team.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Dual Degree - Business School Netherlands (BSN) / International Management Centres (IMC) (2001-12)

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Four-Year Degree - Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, Lincoln, Illinois, USA (1991-12)

College Preparatory Diploma - Kijabe, Kenya (1987-05)