Announcements – 2024

Jeffrey J. Hennessy has been appointed president and vice-chancellor of Acadia University. He began his six-year term in September 2023. An Acadia alumnus, Dr. Hennessy returns to the university from Mount Allison University, where he most recently served as interim president and vice-chancellor. Prior to that, he was Mount Allison’s provost and vice-president, academic and research. He was Acadia’s director of the school of music from 2007-13, and dean of arts from 2014-19.

George Mutwiri has been appointed as the executive director of the University of Saskatchewan’s school of public health for a three-year term. He served as the school’s interim executive director from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2021 to Oct. 31, 2023. Dr. Mutwiri was previously an adjunct professor with the toxicology centre and an associate member in the department of veterinary microbiology in the Western College of University Medicine. Dr. Mutwiri grew up in a small village in Kenya and has spent more than 25 years at USask as an educator, research and academic leader. Prior to coming to Saskatchewan, he earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at the University of Nairobi and his PhD at the University of Guelph.

Angie Bruce has been appointed as vice-president (Indigenous) at the University of Manitoba. A proud Red River Métis woman, Ms. Bruce joins the university after serving as assistant deputy minister of Natural Resources Canada’s Nòkwewashk sector. Previously, she was deputy minister in Manitoba’s Indigenous and Northern relations and municipal relations departments. Ms. Bruce has a wealth of experience in building partnerships with Indigenous Nations and communities, all orders of government as well as public, private and non-profit sectors.

Julian Birkinshaw has been named new dean of the Ivey Business School at Western University. Mr. Birkinshaw joins his alma mater after 25 years at the London Business School in the U.K, where he most recently served as vice-dean. He is a fellow of the British Academy, Strategic Management Society and the Academy of Management. Mr. Birkinshaw holds a PhD in business administration and honorary degrees from Copenhagen Business School and the Stockholm School of Economics. His five-year appointment begins Aug. 1.

Lisa Kalynchuk has been reappointed as vice-president, research and innovation at the University of Victoria. Dr. Kalynchuk is known internationally for her work on chronic stress, the neurobiology of depression and the development of biomarkers for mental health disorders. She was first appointed to the role on July 1, 2019. Prior to this appointment, she was the associate vice-president research from 2017-2019.

Yves Bourgeois has been appointed as Mount Allison’s dean of social sciences and business. Dr. Bourgouis will join Mount Allison from l’Université de Moncton’s Shippagan campus, where he is currently dean of studies. He is a distinguished university professor, researcher and administrator and holds a PhD in urban planning from UCLA. Dr. Bourgeois will begin his new role on July 1.

Mount Allison University has named Ian Sutherland as its 16th president and vice-chancellor. Dr. Sutherland has worked for over a decade in academic leadership in Atlantic Canada and internationally. He currently serves as vice-president of Memorial University, where he is primarily responsible for leading its Grenfell Campus. He has an interdisciplinary background, rooted in the performing arts, social sciences and liberal arts. He begins his appointment on July 15.

Robert Gordon has been reappointed as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Windsor. During his tenure, Dr. Gordon has spearheaded the university’s first strategic plan in a decade and implemented its inaugural mental health strategy, among other accomplishments. He was first appointed in 2019 and previously served as provost and vice-president, academic, as well as vice-president, research at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Pamela Swett has been reappointed as dean of the faculty of humanities at McMaster University for a second, five-year term beginning July 1. Dr. Swett led the creation of the faculty’s first-ever strategic plan and played a key role in launching the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement. She first joined McMaster as a faculty member in history and served as chair of the history department from 2011 until 2017.

Laurentian University has appointed Danielle Dennie as its new university librarian. She will start her new position on July 1. Previously, she was the head of the Vanier Library at Concordia University. A Franco-Ontarian with Sudbury roots, she is a Laurentian alumna, having gotten her B.Sc in biochemistry. She then went on to get her master’s of library and information studies degree from McGill University as well as a master’s of science in applied microbiology from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique.

Capilano University has appointed Brian Storey to the inaugural role of associate vice-president, Squamish, effective May 6. Dr. Storey joins CapU from Douglas College, where he most recently served as director of global engagement and international student services. He holds a master’s degree in educational psychology and special education from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in curriculum theory and implementation from Simon Fraser University.

Wisdom Tettey has been appointed president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University. Dr. Tettey joins Carleton from the University of Toronto, where he currently serves as a vice-president and has been principal of the Scarborough campus since 2018. Dr. Tettey has proven experience in leadership at a number of major Canadian universities and has convened the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Education and Communities since 2020. The first of those sessions led to the creation of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education. He begins his appointment on Jan. 1, 2025.

Shelagh Rogers has been named the new chancellor at Queen’s University, starting July 1. Previously, she served as chancellor at the University of Victoria for two terms spanning from 2015 to 2021. A former Queen’s student, Ms. Rogers is best known for her broadcast career on CBC radio, having worked on notable programs like Morningside, The Arts Tonight, This Morning, and The Next Chapter. Beyond her career achievements, Ms. Rogers, an Officer of the Order of Canada, has been a vocal activist for mental health awareness and care, especially for youth, earning several accolades from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, as well as earning the inaugural Margaret Trudeau Award for Mental Health Advocacy.

Wendy Rodgers has been appointed as the seventh president and vice-chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Rodgers brings years of teaching, research and administrative experience to the role. She began her postsecondary education career as an assistant professor in the faculty of human kinetics at the University of Windsor before moving to the University of Alberta, where she was a full professor and high-achieving researcher for almost 20 years. After serving in a number of leadership roles at the U of A, Dr. Rodgers moved to the University of Northern British Columbia, where she was most recently serving as the vice-president, academic, and provost. Dr. Rodgers begins her appointment on June 1.

Kenneth Deveau has been appointed president and vice-chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2024. With a PhD in education and specializing in the vitality of linguistic minority communities, Dr. Deveau began his career in 1992 as a science and math teacher at École secondaire de Clare before pursuing doctoral studies in 2000 at Université de Moncton. He is recognized for his many contributions as a research associate with the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities from 2002 to 2013. He joined Université Sainte-Anne in 2004 as a professor in the department of education. In 2011, he was appointed vice-president, academic and research, a position he held until 2021, when he became development officer for research infrastructure and entrepreneurship. Since 2023, Mr. Deveau has been executive director of the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse.

Anne Bowker has been appointed as dean of the faculty of arts and social sciences at Carleton University, effective July 1. Dr. Bowker is a professor in the department of psychology and has served as interim dean of the faculty since August 2023. She completed her undergraduate studies at Concordia University and holds an MA and PhD from the University of Waterloo.

Trinity College has appointed Nicholas Terpstra as provost and vice-chancellor beginning in July. Dr. Terpstra is a professor of history at the University of Toronto and holds cross-appointments with the department of religion, department of Italian studies and centre for medieval studies. As chair of the history department in 2018, Dr. Terpstra led the establishment of a new master of arts in contemporary international history program. In 2010, he received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the faculty of arts and science.

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.

Annette Trimbee has been reappointed for a second term as president and vice-chancellor of MacEwan University. Prior to joining MacEwan in 2020, Dr. Trimbee served as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Winnipeg.Before that, Dr. Trimbee worked for the Government of Alberta for 25 years, where she held several senior leadership positions, including deputy minister with Advanced Education and Technology and with Treasury Board and Finance. She has also served on several boards, including Edmonton Global, World Universities Service Canada (WUSC), The Conversation Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation and Universities Canada (publisher of University Affairs).

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Laina Y. Bay-Cheng will be taking the role of vice-president equity, people and culture on full-time, after serving in an interim capacity for a year. Dr. Bay-Cheng joined York in July 2022 after spending 17 years as a faculty member at the University at Buffalo, as well as associate dean for faculty development. Before that, she worked at Binghamton University in the state of New York.

Saint Mary’s University has appointed Ayo Makanjuola as its new vice-president, finance and administration, effective Sept. 1. Prior to joining Saint Mary’s, Mr. Makanjuola served as the chief financial officer for the Millbrook First Nation and as CFO of the Black Business Initiative of Nova Scotia. A board member at the YMCA and the NSCC Foundation, he is also currently serving as chair of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia.

Capilano University has appointed Tracy Penny Light as interim vice-president, academic and provost, effective Aug. 5. She first came to CapU in February 2023 as  dean of the faculty of arts and sciences. Before arriving at CapU, Dr. Penny Light worked at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, where she served as both a professor and director of the leadership and excellence in academic development division in the department of educational services. Prior to that role, she served as a professor of history and the executive director of the centre for student engagement and learning innovation at Thompson Rivers University, and associate professor at the University of Waterloo where she taught in both the sexuality, marriage and family studies and history departments and served as the director of women’s studies.

Carleen Thomas has been reappointed as chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She began her appointment on Aug. 1. Ms. Thomas is currently the acting principal at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation siʔáḿθət School and was previously the special projects manager in the treaty, lands, and resources department. Prior to her position at the siʔáḿθət School, she served eight two-year terms as an elected council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, where she held the community development portfolio covering health and education.

Effective Sept. 1, Melanie Stewart is the University of British Columbia’s vice-president of external relations. Previously Dr. Stewart held the position of associate deputy minister in the ministry of education and child care, in the BC provincial government. She has also held several other senior positions with other government departments, including the ministry of agriculture, the ministry of community, sport and cultural development, the ministry of children and family development, the ministry of mental health and addictions, the public service agency, the gender equity office, and the ministry of education and child care.

As of Aug. 1, Peter Donahue is the University of Manitoba’s dean of the faculty of social work. Previously, Dr. Donahue was the director and graduate program chair of the school of social work at King’s University College at Western University. He has also held positions at the University of Calgary as well as Renison University College at the University of Waterloo.

Michael Green will be the new president, vice-chancellor, dean and CEO of NOSM University, effective Nov. 1. Dr. Green began his academic career at Queen’s University, where he served as head of the department of family medicine and as a professor of public health sciences and policy studies, among other roles. In 2023, Dr. Green was elected the 70th president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

As of Sept. 1, Alain Simard is Laurentian University’s dean of graduate studies and international. Previously, he was assistant dean of graduate studies at NOSM University, where he also served as he served as associate professor in the division of medical sciences. Before that, he served as an associate professor at Université de Moncton.

On July 1, Jackie Rice was appointed to a second term as the University of Lethbridge’s associate vice-president, research and dean of the school of graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs. Before joining ULethbridge in 2002 as an assistant professor, she worked as a sessional instructor at the University of Victoria, an instructor at Camosun College in Victoria and a programmer/analyst for SHL Systemhouse.

Artist and fifth-year women’s studies student Belen Blizzard is Concordia’s first-ever 2SLGBTQIA+ student coordinator. Funded by the equity office, and situated within the Simone de Beauvoir Institute (SdBI), this new role will include mobilizing undergraduate students to organize a conference slated for May 2025. Blizzard will further develop and amplify resources available to 2SLGBTQIA+ students at Concordia, but also draw them into the SdBI’s Learning Centre and Lending Library. A member of Concordia’s STRIVE subcommittee on transphobia and former SdBI student association executive, Blizzard already has extensive experience advocating for trans and non-binary young people — racialized young people in particular.

Sam Veres is the dean of the faculty of science at Saint Mary’s University, effective July 1. Having joined Saint Mary’s in 2013 as an assistant professor in the division of engineering, Dr. Veres has since served as graduate program coordinator for the MSc and PhD in applied science programs. In 2019, he assumed the role of associate dean, student affairs and supports, and most recently he stepped into the interim dean of science role in 2023.

Karen Bulmer has been appointed dean of the school of music at Memorial University, effective Nov. 5. Dr. Bulmer has been filling the role on an interim basis since June 2021. She began her career at the school of music in 2006 as assistant professor of low brass, progressing to associate professor and later full professor. She has held the position of associate dean, teaching and learning, and has also been a graduate officer.

Krishan Mehta has been appointed vice-president, university advancement and alumni relations at Toronto Metropolitan University. Mr. Mehta has over 25 years of experience in higher education advancement and is a leader in fundraising, stewardship and alumni engagement. He joined TMU in 2013, most recently serving as assistant vice-president, engagement.

Shaun Boe has been named dean of the faculty of health sciences at Western. Dr. Boe is currently the associate dean (research) in the faculty of health at Dalhousie University. He has spent 15 years as a professor of kinesiology, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and neuroscience, leading research focused on developing and testing interventions to improve how clinicians treat patients with brain injuries. Dr. Boe begins his appointment on April 1.

Linda Koechli has been appointed dean of the Chang School of Continuing Education, where she has served in the role on an interim basis since April of this year. She has served in various leadership capacities at the Chang School, overseeing the complete lifecycle of certificate program development, delivery and assessment. Dr. Koechli brings two decades of experience to the role. She began her appointment on Dec. 1.