Announcements – 2026

Capilano University has appointed Jason Dewling as its eight president and vice-chancellor. Dr. Dewling most recently served as chief learning officer of LCI Education and president of LaSalle College Vancouver. Dr. Dewling earned a PhD in education from the University of Alberta and brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education to the role. His career spans leadership in public and private institutions across Alberta, British Columbia and internationally. At LCI Education, he served as president for Western Canada and Asia Pacific, overseeing campuses in Vancouver, Melbourne and Jakarta, as well as e-learning and language divisions. As global chief learning officer, he led international initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His academic background also includes degrees in theology emphasizing youth development, and his leadership philosophy is rooted in equity, innovation and sustainability—values that align strongly with CapU’s mission. Dr. Dewling begins his five-year term on March 2.

Shane McNaught has been appointed assistant vice-president (AVP) of labour relations at York University, effective Jan. 26. McNaught graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a commerce degree and earned LLB and LLM degrees in labour relations from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School. He has worked in labour relations at University Health Network and held a senior role at Toronto Catholic District School Board. Mr. McNaught later served as legal counsel at Ontario Principals’ Council. He focused on bargaining and protective services. Most recently, he spent eight years at Scotiabank as director of global labour relations.

The University of Victoria has appointed Angela Jaime, an enrolled member of the Pit River Tribe of Northern California and current vice-provost of Indigenous engagement at the University of Saskatchewan, as its new vice-president Indigenous (VPI). Dr. Jaime brings over 25 years of experience in Indigenous education, academic leadership, equity, anti-racism, and social justice, including leading the University of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Strategy (ohpahatân | oohpaahotaan) and truth policy (deybwewin | tapwaywin | taapwaywin). Her research focuses on Indigenous women in higher education, anti-oppression, and decolonization. She will begin her new role in Summer 2026.

Angelique Saweczko has been appointed as university registrar and vice-provost, integrated enrolment management, at the University of Calgary. Ms. Saweczko brings more than two decades of registrarial and enrolment management experience. She is returning to UCalgary following her most recent role as university registrar at the University of Toronto. She previously served as university registrar at UCalgary from 2015 to 2021, where she championed student-focused innovations. She begins her new role on Feb. 1.

Trent University has appointed Dr. Tana J. Allen as vice-president, research & innovation. Dr. Allen is an internationally-recognized classical archaeologist and social historian and accomplished senior academic administrator. Dr. Allen will join Trent from Memorial University, where she most recently served as acting vice-president (research) and previously as acting associate vice-president (research). She will begin her new position on September 1, 2026.

Mary Francoli has been appointed interim dean in the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs (FPGA) at Carleton University, effective Jan. 1. Dr. Francoli is an associate professor of communication and media studies in the School of Journalism and Communication. She previously served as associate dean of FPGA in multiple portfolios between 2017 and 2023, including as directior of the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs.

Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Kate McCrae Bristol as vice-president: student affairs for a five-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Ms. McCrae Bristol joined Laurier as dean of students for the Waterloo campus in 2019. In 2022, she became Laurier’s director of athletics and recreation, where she guided the department through a period of modernization and renewal. Ms. McCrae Bristol’s earlier roles include serving as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Yale University, working as the national sport program coordinator for Special Olympics Canada, and serving as director, community engagement at St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation.

Svetlana Kochkina has been appointed as university librarian at the University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Kochkina was the acting head of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine at McGill University in 2024-25. In this role, she oversees a broad portfolio that includes collections management, fundraising, donor engagement, and digitization initiatives. Her collaborative projects at the university have included museums and international partners. Previously, Dr. Kochkina was the head of lending and access services of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library at McGill.

McGill University has announced that Angela Campbell will its next provost and executive vice-president (academic). Ms. Campbell is currently a full professor in the Faculty of Law, specializing in family, health, successions and criminal law. She has previously served as associate provost (equity and academic policies), as associate dean (graduate studies), and director (Institute of Comparative Law) in the law faculty. She will assume the new role on Feb. 1, 2026.

Dawn Johnston has been appointed vice-president, academic, at Alberta University of the Arts. Dr. Johnston is an award-winning postsecondary leader who most recently served as associate dean (teaching, learning and student engagement) in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary, a position she held for almost 10 years. She also has nearly two decades of experience as a teaching professor in communication, media and film at UCalgary. Dr. Johnston will transition to her new role on Jan. 9, 2026.

The University of Manitoba is pleased to announce that Nazim Cicek has been appointed as the next dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and food sciences, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Cicek is currently serving as associate dean (research), a position he has held since 2021. A professional engineer and professor in the department of biosystems engineering, he joined UM in 2001 after receiving his M.Sc. in chemical engineering (1995) and Ph.D. in environmental engineering (1999) from the University of Cincinnati.

York University has appointed Maydianne Andrade as its next dean of the Faculty of Science, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Dr. Andrade is an evolutionary biologist and acclaimed science communicator whose research examines mating systems and sexual selection. A long‑serving faculty member and former vice‑dean at the University of Toronto Scarborough, she has led major initiatives to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in the sciences. Dr. Andrade is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and has been widely recognized for her leadership in research, teaching and public engagement.​

The University of Regina has reappointed Aziz Douai to a second term as dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Dr. Douai is a scholar of media and communication whose work explores political communication and the role of news media in the Middle East and North Africa. He previously served as a professor and associate dean at Ontario Tech University, where he contributed to the development of innovative interdisciplinary programs. At the University of Regina, Dr. Douai has championed graduate student success and research intensification across disciplines.​​

Memorial University has appointed Stuart Carney as dean of the Faculty of Medicine for a five‑year term, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Dr. Carney is an experienced medical educator and clinician who has held senior roles in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Before joining Memorial, he served in leadership positions at institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom, where he focused on curriculum renewal and learner wellbeing. As dean, Dr. Carney will guide the faculty’s academic programs, clinical partnerships and research priorities across Newfoundland and Labrador.​

Queen’s University has appointed Wim A. Van der Stede as the next dean of Smith School of Business, for a five‑year term effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Van der Stede is an expert in management control, performance measurement and governance, with an extensive record of scholarship and academic leadership. He previously served as dean of the London School of Economics’ Department of Accounting and has consulted widely with organizations on strategy execution and accountability. At Smith, he will lead the school’s academic strategy, global engagement and partnerships with the business community.​

Brock University has reappointed Suzanne Curtin as Vice‑Provost and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, with her second term beginning July 1, 2026. Dr. Curtin is a developmental psychologist whose research focuses on early language acquisition in infants. She has held academic and leadership positions at several Canadian universities, where she has advanced supports for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. In her renewed role at Brock, Dr. Curtin will continue to oversee graduate programming, policy and strategic initiatives to enhance graduate education.​

The University of British Columbia has extended David Kitts as dean pro tem of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, with his appointment running to the earlier of Sept. 30, 2026, or the arrival of a new dean. Dr. Kitts is a professor of food science whose research addresses food safety, bioactive compounds and functional foods. He has served in a range of academic leadership roles within the faculty, contributing to program development and external partnerships in agri‑food. As dean pro tem, Dr. Kitts provides interim leadership while the university completes an international search for a permanent dean.​

UBC has also extended Andrea Esteves as dean pro tem of the Faculty of Dentistry, to the earlier of Aug. 27, 2026, or the appointment of a new dean. Dr. Esteves is a clinician‑educator with expertise in dental education and clinical practice, and has been part of the faculty’s leadership team during a period of renewal. She has supported curriculum innovation and partnerships with health‑care providers to expand clinical training opportunities for students. In her role as dean pro tem, Dr. Esteves will continue to guide the faculty’s academic, clinical and community engagement activities.​