Announcements – June 2024

Laurie Schnarr has been reappointed as vice-provost (students) at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Schnarr joined the UM in 2019 from the University of Guelph where she was director, student experience and interim director, experiential learning. During her tenure, she has led three departments within student affairs: office of the registrar and enrolment services, student engagement and success and student support. Dr. Schnarr has proven leadership in a number of institution-wide priorities such as advancing EDI, UM’s commitment to Reconciliation, increasing sexual violence education and resources and building holistic mental health supports for students.

Mike Emery has been appointed to assistant vice-president, enrolment services and registrar at Wilfrid Laurier University. He joins Laurier from Conestoga College where he served as registrar, guiding domestic recruitment and admissions, student records, scheduling, financial aid and convocation among other responsibilities. Prior to Conestoga College, Mr. Emery served as director of admissions at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Ana Serrano, president and vice-chancellor of OCAD University, has been reappointed to a second five-year term. President Serrano joined OCAD U in 2020 and led the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing transparency and developing protocols to ensure the health and safety of the campus community. During her first term, President Serrano co-chaired the university’s new Academic and Strategic Plan, 2022-2028, and has spearheaded initiatives to successfully secure several million-dollar investments. She will begin her new appointment on July 1.

John Ariyo has been appointed as the inaugural executive director of the Scarborough Charter Secretariat. Mr. Ariyo will lead the realization of the principles, commitments and actions outlined in the Scarborough Charter. Launched in 2021, the Scarborough Charter is a collective commitment by Canadian universities to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for Black students, faculty and staff.

He joins the Scarborough Charter Secretariat from the Government of Nova Scotia’s department of health and wellness, where he led 35,000 health-system staff as executive director of equity and engagement.

His prior experience includes a number of key leadership positions in anti-Black racism and equity initiatives, strategic planning, immigration, employee relationships, community management, cultural planning and elections management at the City of Mississauga, City of Hamilton and Elections Ontario. Mr. Ariyo begins his appointment on July 2, 2024.