Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Brent Wolfe as the acting associate vice-president and dean of the faculty of graduate and postdoctoral studies. Dr. Wolfe will start his new position on July 1. Currently, he serves as associate dean for the faculty of geography and environmental sciences. He is a former northern research chair with NSERC and has trained more than 50 graduate and postdoctoral researchers in northern environmental science. Dr. Wolfe completed his PhD at the University of Waterloo in 1997 and has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications.
On Jan. 31, Vancouver Island University announced Carolyn Russell as its new associate vice-president, international education. Ms. Russell has 25 years of experience in international education across the postsecondary sector in British Columbia and is the former executive director, global engagement at the University of Victoria. She has been a board member for the Canadian Bureau of International Education and received the BC Council for International Education Award for service excellence in 2012.
James Culligan began his appointment as vice-president, finance and administration at St. Thomas University on March 1. A chartered professional accountant, Mr. Culligan has had a successful career with Service New Brunswick, where he served as executive director of finance and administration, responsible for a large operating and capital budget as well as forecasting and reporting.
The University of Manitoba has extended the term of Catherine Cook as vice-president, Indigenous, where she oversees six Indigenous leadership projects. Dr. Cook has played an integral role in expanding Indigenous student representation and advancing reconciliation at U of M. She was one of the first Indigenous physicians trained in the province of Manitoba and has since been a leading voice on Indigenous public health and policy in the province’s postsecondary education system. Dr. Cook’s term is extended until June 30, 2023.
Christopher Adams has been reappointed as rector of St. Paul’s College at the University of Manitoba, where he will serve a new five-year term. Dr. Adams was first appointed rector in 2012, and under his leadership St. Paul’s College joined Universities Canada (publisher of University Affairs) and became a founding partner of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Dr. Adams is a respected administrator and is a professor of political studies at the university. He holds a PhD in political science from Carleton University.
Algoma University welcomed Shannon Brooks as its new vice-president, finance and operations on Jan 10. Ms. Brooks is a certified professional accountant and holds an MBA from Laurentian University. She has over 22 years of experience in postsecondary education, most recently serving as associate vice-president, corporate services at Centennial College. She has previously overseen major construction projects at the college, including for a new $100 million campus building.
The University of British Columbia Okanagan has appointed Rehan Sadiq as vice-president, academic pro tem. He previously held the position of executive associate dean in the school of engineering, and was also the co-lead of the life cycle management laboratory at UBC. Dr. Sadiq is a world-leading researcher in the areas of asset management of water supply systems, environmental risk analysis and lifecycle assessment of the built environment. He holds a PhD in civil engineering from Memorial University and has been a registered professional engineer in B.C. since 2010.
York University has selected Margaret Kierylo as its new vice-president, institutional planning and chief data officer. Dr. Kierylo has had a 12-year career in higher education, most recently serving as associate vice-president, integrated planning and assessment at Athabasca University. She has also worked for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as acting curator, Indigenous content. Dr. Kierylo holds a PhD in history from Queen’s University.
On Feb. 21, Brad Storm assumed the position of chief information officer at York University. Mr. Storm has more than 25 years of executive management experience and has proven leadership in digital strategy and information technology. Most recently, Mr. Storm served as vice-president and chief information officer of technology and security. He is a graduate of Carleton University as well as several professional development programs in leadership and information technology.
Western University has appointed David Muir to serve as its inaugural associate vice-president, in charge of innovation and strategic partnerships. Dr. Muir comes from serving as director of research and development for the automotive and surface transportation portfolio at the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, where he drove several strategic partnerships. He has two decades of experience in senior roles at 3M Canada, working in research, product development, manufacturing, commercialization, and business.
On Jan. 10, Concordia University named Cherine Zananiri as its new director of experiential learning and cooperative education. She is a talent and career strategist and former adjunct professor who has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the John Molson School of Business. In her new role, Ms. Zananiri is responsible for fostering and maintaining strategic partnerships with industry, community organizations and all levels of government.
Greg Naterer will serve as vice-president academic and research at the University of Prince Edward Island, effective May 1. Dr. Naterer is currently the dean of the faculty of engineering and applied science as well as a professor in the department of mechanical engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. Naterer embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and under his leadership Newfoundland and Labrador has had the highest percentage of female undergraduate engineering students in Canada.
The University of Prince Edward Island has appointed Cathy Vardy as executive director, medical program development, where she will work to support the accreditation of UPEI’s faculty of medicine joint MD program with Memorial University. She previously served as vice-dean, medicine and as a professor of pediatrics at Memorial. Dr. Vardy has also held a number of leadership positions with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador, and has been a member of national and international credential and accreditation committees.
Florentine Strzelczyk will be the new provost and vice-president, academic, at Western University. Her five-year term begins May 1. Dr. Strzelczyk has an extensive background in Canada’s postsecondary education sector, and currently serves as provost and vice-president, academic at Memorial University. She has also previously held leadership positions at the University of Calgary.