Announcements – 2023

Lanita Layton has been elected chair of OCAD U’s board of governors for a one-year term beginning Dec. 4. Ms. Layton previously served as a board member from June 1, 2019, to May 31, 2022. Ms. Layton is a prominent senior executive and luxury brand consultant who has held leadership roles at Hugo Boss, Birks and Holt Renfrew. In addition to her corporate roles, she serves as an advisor at Goodszilla and as Chair Patron of the master’s in management in retailing at McGill University.

Vancouver Island University has named Sungchul Choi as dean of the faculty of management. Prior to joining VIU, he was a professor in the University of Northern British Columbia’s school of business, where he had also served as chair since 2017. Dr. Choi holds a PhD in marketing from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Busan National University in South Korea.

Véronique Pepin stepped into the role of interim dean for Concordia University’s school of health. Dr. Pepin is a professor of health, kinesiology and applied physiology and was chair of Concordia’s department of health, kinesiology and applied physiology for five years. She also served as chair of the Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society and is now a member of its executive committee.

Clinton Beckford is acting as the University of Windsor’s inaugural vice-president, equity, diversity and inclusion. He is the coordinator of an international service-learning program for teacher candidates in the faculty of education, an active mentor to racialized students, and an advocate for social and environmental justice.

Michelle Helstein has been appointed provost and vice-president, academic, at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Helstein holds a PhD in physical education and recreation from the University of Alberta and began her career at U of Lethbridge as a researcher in 2003. She was most recently interim deputy provost.

As of Aug. 1, Teresa Kisilevich is dean of the faculty of applied and technical studies at the University of the Fraser Valley. She was most recently associate dean of trades and apprenticeship at Okanagan College, where she served in several instructional and administrative roles since 1999. Dr. Kisilevich has also been named a tenured associate professor with a faculty appointment in UFV’s adult education department.

The University of British Columbia has appointed Bhushan Gopaluni vice-provost and associate vice-president, faculty planning, for a five-year term. A professor in the faculty of applied science, he served as associate head for chemical and biological engineering undergraduate programs from 2014–2017 and then as associate dean, education and professional development.

Isabelle Nault has been appointed vice-president, administration, at Mount Saint Vincent University. She was previously associate vice-president of operations at NSCAD University.

Dalhousie University welcomed Kim Brooks as its new president and vice-chancellor on Aug. 14. She stepped into the role after serving as acting provost and vice-president, academic. An accomplished tax scholar and lawyer, Dr. Brooks was previously dean of Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law and its faculty of management. Dr. Brooks is both the first woman and first openly queer person to be permanently appointed Dalhousie president.

Nipissing University has appointed Ann-Barbara Graff as provost and vice-president, academic, for a five-year term. Dr. Graff recently served as vice-president, academic and research, and provost at NSCAD University, where she was a professor of art history and contemporary culture.

Robert Aguirre has been appointed provost and vice-president, academic, at the University of Windsor. Dr. Aguirre joined from James Madison University in Virginia, where he had been a professor of English and dean of the college of arts and letters since 2018.

Shalene Jobin is the new vice-president, academic, at First Nations University of Canada. She was most recently an associate professor in the faculty of native studies at the University of Alberta, where she held the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous governance and was the founding director of the Indigenous governance program.

Tim Tang will be joining the University of Alberta as the new associate vice-president, student experience, effective Nov. 1, 2023. Mr. Tang is moving to the U of A from MacEwan University, where he served as associate vice-president, students. He has held senior roles at several postsecondary institutions such as York University and Queen’s, and previously worked at the U of A as an assistant registrar and director, admissions.

Isabella Dostaler began her five-year term as the University of Regina’s provost and vice-president, academic, on June 1. Her term was delayed due to lymphoma treatment, for which she learned she is in remission. Dr. Dostaler brings extensive experience to the role, previously serving as Memorial University’s dean of the faculty of business administration and as director of the aviation and executive MBA programs at Concordia University.

Lorie Kloda has been appointed vice-dean of McGill University’s library. Dr. Kloda most recently served as associate university librarian for planning and community relations at Concordia University. Prior to that she was a health sciences librarian and assessment librarian at McGill, where she also received her PhD in information studies in 2012.

Tom Durnin has been named chief information officer at Mount Royal University. He spent 19 years at the University of Calgary, serving most recently as director, IT investment, project management office and customer engagement. He holds an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

MacEwan University has appointed Lara McClelland vice-president, university relations. Ms. McClelland has worked for the Government of Alberta, NAIT and the University of Alberta. In this new role, she will manage the university’s government and community relations, alumni and fundraising, marketing and communications.

Concordia University has appointed Timothy Dye, a medical anthropologist and social epidemiologist, as dean of its new school of health. Dr. Dye has extensive knowledge of public health with his research focused on the social, ecological and cultural determinants of health. He previously taught at the University of Rochester in New York and began his five-year term on Aug. 15.

Ashok Mathur has been appointed vice-president, research, and dean of the school of graduate studies at OCAD University for a five-year term. He brings extensive administrative and teaching experience in graduate education as well as a significant record of research and creative practice to the role. With more than 30 years of experience as an educator, administrator, researcher and cultural organizer, he is well-positioned to not only lead this key portfolio but to extend the institution’s research capacity and increase graduate student enrolment.

Queen’s University has reappointed Fahim Quadir as vice-provost and dean of the school of graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs for a five-year term. Dr. Quadir has held academic positions at universities in the U.S., Canada and Bangladesh. He is president-elect and vice-president of the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies.

Penny Pexman has been named Western University’s new vice-president, research, starting Sept. 1. She is currently associate vice-president, research, at the University of Calgary, where she is also a professor of psychology. Dr. Pexman is a co-founder of Women in Cognitive Science Canada.

Shelagh Rowles has accepted the position of provost and vice-president, academic, at Yukon University. She has been with the institution since 1991. She has served as executive director of its centre for northern innovation in mining since 2012. Dr. Rowles holds an interdisciplinary PhD in the fields of history, public policy and innovation.

Mark Robertson has been named chief librarian at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Robertson will join TMU from Brock University, where he has been university librarian since 2016. Prior to that, Dr. Robertson was associate university librarian for information services at York University. His new role begins July 1.

Shannon Wagner has been appointed Thompson Rivers University’s first vice president of research. She steps into the role after serving as TRU’s associate vice president, academic. She served as the inaugural dean of the faculty of human and health sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia before joining TRU in 2021.

The University of Windsor has appointed Shanthi Johnson vice-president, research and innovation, effective July 1. Dr. Johnson joins U of Windsor from the University of Alberta, where she most recently served as professor and dean of the school of public health. Dr. Johnson has served on a number of boards including the National Seniors Council, the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, and the CIHR Governing Council.

The University of Manitoba has chosen Vanessa Koldingnes as vice-president, external. Ms. Koldingnes has been at U of M for the last 11 years, holding various roles including acting associate vice-president, donor relations, and director of the office of the vice-president. She holds an MBA from U of M’s I.H. Asper School of Business.

Alan Shepard has been reappointed Western University’s president and vice-chancellor. Dr. Shepard began his first term on July 1, 2019, and led the process resulting in the university’s new strategic plan. He has held various senior positions throughout his career, including as president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University as well as provost and vice-president, academic, at Toronto Metropolitan University (then Ryerson University). Dr. Shepard is chair of the Council of Ontario Universities.

Brad Clarke has been appointed interim associate vice-president, equity, at Brock University, where he currently serves as associate vice-president, students (a role he will continue to hold). Mr. Clarke has held a number of senior administration roles throughout his time at Brock, including as the long-serving co-chair of the president’s advisory committee on human rights, equity and decolonization. Mr. Clarke is a Brock graduate and was president of both its student union and alumni association.

Leroy Little Bear has been named vice-provost, Iniskim Indigenous relations, at the University of Lethbridge. The new position was established to lead U of L’s strategy for reconciliation, Indigenous engagement and achievement, and Indigenous faculty and student support. Dr. Little Bear is the university’s Niitsitapi Scholar, senior adviser to the university president, and an adjunct professor in the Indigenous governance and business management program. He received the Order of Canada in 2019.

Acadia University has chosen Nancy Handrigan as its vice-president of advancement, a role she’s held on an interim basis since March 1, 2021. Ms. Handrigan joined Acadia in 2013 as executive director of philanthropy before being named campaign director of the university’s most ambitious fundraising initiative to date, in 2017. She holds an MA from McMaster University and a certified fundraising executive designation.

Gage Averill has been appointed provost and vice-president, academic, at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Averill has been serving as provost and vice-president, academic, pro tem, since April 2022. Prior to this appointment, he was dean of the faculty of arts. An ethnomusicologist, he’s been awarded multiple prizes from scholarly associations and received a Grammy nomination for Best Album Notes in 2010. He served as chair of music at New York University, dean of music at the University of Toronto, and vice-principal, academic, of the University of Toronto at Mississauga.

Queen’s University has appointed Gavan Watson as vice-provost, teaching and learning, for a five-year term beginning April 1, 2023. Dr. Watson is the current associate vice-president, teaching and learning, and the director for the centre for innovation in teaching and learning at Memorial University. Dr. Watson holds a PhD in environmental education and a master’s in environmental studies from York University, and an honours bachelor of applied science from the University of Guelph.

Wisdom Tettey has been reappointed principal of the University of Toronto Scarborough and a vice-president at the University of Toronto, for a second five-year term beginning July 1, 2023. Dr. Tettey worked to advance inclusive excellence in scholarship, faculty diversity, and student mental health and wellbeing during his first term at UTSC. Before joining the U of T, Dr. Tettey was dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.

The University of Winnipeg has announced that Navinder Basra will serve as vice-president, finance and administration, effective Jan. 16, 2023. Mr. Basra has over 10 years of experience in senior financial roles, most recently as acting CFO and secretary treasurer for the Winnipeg School Division. Mr. Basra is a chartered professional accountant and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountants.

Tanya (Toni) De Mello became vice-president, equity and community inclusion, at Toronto Metropolitan University on Jan. 1, 2023. Dr. De Mello previously served as the inaugural assistant dean for student programming, development and equity at TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law. She joined the university in 2017 as director of human rights. Dr. De Mello is a human rights lawyer, mediator and coach with expertise in discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence, with a focus on the postsecondary sector. She holds bachelor degrees in economics and political science from the University of Waterloo; a dual master’s degree in public policy and urban and regional planning from Princeton University; a master of education in counselling and psychotherapy from the University of Toronto and two law degrees (common and civil law) from McGill University. In 2020, she completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, which focused on access to the legal sector in Toronto and bias in hiring.