Announcements – December 2019
Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed a new senior advisor, equity, diversity and inclusion. Barrington Walker, currently an associate professor of history at Queen’s University, is joining Laurier in the new position and as a tenured professor in Laurier’s department of history. He will begin his five-year appointment on Jan. 1, 2020. As senior advisor, EDI, Dr. Walker will lead the creation of a university-wide EDI strategy and will provide expertise, guidance and support to faculty and staff working toward EDI-related goals. Dr. Walker has been with the Queen’s department of history since 2002 and was the diversity advisor to the university’s vice-principal, academic, from 2007 to 2009.
The University of Prince Edward Island has a new equity, diversity and inclusion officer. Patti Wheatley, who joined the university as its first chief access to information and privacy officer in 2017, will continue in her current role, adding the EDI file to her list of responsibilities. In her new role, Ms. Wheatley will develop policies and programs that build a greater understanding of EDI on campus. Ms. Wheatley is a lawyer by profession and sits on the boards of the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development, and the Learning Disabilities Association of PEI.
Amanda Myers was named the new director of Western University’s Indigenous Student Centre in June. The Indigenous Student Centre, formerly called Indigenous Support Services, serves as a hub for students, staff, faculty and communities to gather and access services and supports. Along with her new duties, Ms. Myers is pursuing a master’s of education at Western with a focus on Indigenous leadership in education.
Joy Kirchner was reappointed York University’s dean of libraries for a second five-year term, starting July 1, 2020. Ms. Kirchner came to York in 2015 from the University of Minnesota, where she served as associate university librarian for content and collections, and interim associate university librarian for research and learning. Before that, she held positions at the University of British Columbia and Columbia University in New York.
Everett Hopfner is the new interim director of the Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory of Music at Brandon University. Mr. Hopfner, a Brandon U graduate, has taught at the conservatory since 2015 and has also been a sessional instructor at the university’s school of music. In his new position, Mr. Hopfner will oversee programming that provides musical education to hundreds of students.
Camille Rutherford has been named Brock University’s new vice-provost, strategic partnerships and international, for a two-year term, effective immediately. Dr. Rutherford first came to Brock as an assistant professor in the faculty of education in 2006 and became associate vice-provost, student information systems, in 2018. In her new role, Rutherford will take on responsibility for establishing partnerships and developing new and alternate pathways through which students entering Brock can access a postsecondary education. She will also oversee the work of Brock International. Dr. Rutherford received a doctorate of education from the Ontario Institute for the Study of Education at the University of Toronto.
Brock University has named Gord Arbeau as its new associate vice-president, advancement and external relations, starting Dec. 2. Mr. Arbeau comes to Brock from McMaster University, where he has served as the institution’s director of communications since 2011. His new mandate at Brock will include integrating the department of development and alumni relations with the department of university marketing and communications into a single unit to better meet the needs of the community and advance Brock’s strategic priorities.
Laurentian University announced that Jennifer Abols will serve as the next executive director of the Goodman School of Mines and as president and CEO of the university’s Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO), effective Nov. 4. Ms. Abols takes over the new combined position at the Goodman School of Mines and MIRARCO as both organizations’ previous leaders wrap up their terms. Ms. Abols, a Laurentian graduate, is a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience in the mining and minerals sector.
Catherine Cook has been appointed the University of Manitoba’s inaugural vice-president, Indigenous, for a term that runs until June 30, 2022. Dr. Cook is currently an associate professor in the department of community health sciences at U of M, is head of Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, and is vice-dean, Indigenous, in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. In the new role, she will lead the work to advance the university’s commitment to Indigenous engagement, promote reconciliation and address anti-Indigenous racism. Dr. Cook received her undergraduate and postgraduate medical education at U of M and practised as a family physician in remote northern nursing stations for several years.
Michael Sabia has been named the new director of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy for a five-year term, beginning Feb. 1, 2020. An alumnus of U of T, Mr. Sabia is currently CEO of the pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, a position he’s held since 2009. Before that, he held several senior positions at Bell Canada parent company BCE Inc., including CEO from 2002 to 2008. He also served as CFO at Canadian National Railway. Mr. Sabia spent several years in public service prior to entering the corporate world, including as director general of tax policy in the federal department of finance.
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