Laurentian University has appointed Celeste Pedri-Spade inaugural director of the Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute, which was established in 2016 to promote decolonizing approaches to research focused on Indigenous peoples and communities. Dr. Pedri-Spade is an Anishinabekwe from northwestern Ontario (Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation) and is an artist and assistant professor in Laurentian’s school of northern and community studies.
Kristin Morrison has been named assistant vice-president, development, at York University, a role she has held on an interim basis since January. She was previously director of major gifts at York, campaign director with Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation and campaign director at Ketchum Canada Inc.
Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo is the University of Toronto’s new director of Indigenous initiatives, a position created in response to the university’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission steering committee. Mr. Hamilton-Diabo was previously director of Aboriginal services at First Nations House. He grew up in Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Nation in Quebec and holds a master’s degree in theological studies from Victoria University.
McMaster University has appointed Doug Welch associate vice-president and dean of graduate studies, a role he has held in an acting capacity. Dr. Welch is an astronomer and professor in the department of physics and astronomy, which he joined in 1988. In 2010, he was awarded the Royal Society of Canada’s McNeil Medal, for an outstanding ability to promote and communicate science to students and the public.
Soo Min Toh has been named the director of the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Institute for Management & Innovation, effective July 1. Dr. Toh holds a PhD from Texas A&M University and joined UTM in 2003. She is an associate professor of organizational behavior, cross-appointed to the Rotman School of Management.
Mount Royal University appointed Stephen Price dean of the faculty of health, community and education, effective July 1. Dr. Price was a high school teacher before joining Mount Royal as an assistant professor and becoming chair of the department of health and physical education. He most recently served as interim associate dean of the faculty of health, community and education.
Dan VanderSluis has joined Vancouver Island University as executive director of human resources. Mr. VanderSluis has had a varied career in the B.C. government as an executive director, regional manager, policy analyst, court investigator and more. He was most recently executive director, family justice services division, at the B.C. Ministry of Justice.
Ann Lopez has been appointed provostial advisor on access programs at the University of Toronto, in the office of the vice-president and provost. Dr. Lopez is an associate professor, teaching stream, in the department of leadership, higher, and adult education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at U of T, where she served as academic director of initial teacher education. She was recently named president-elect of the National Association for Multicultural Education.
As of May 15, Valerie Henitiuk is Concordia University of Edmonton’s vice-president, academic, and provost. Dr. Henitiuk was previously executive director of MacEwan University’s Centre for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence, special advisor for Indigenous initiatives and professor in MacEwan’s department of English.
Lucy Fromowitz will return to York University to become vice-provost, students, effective July 1. A York Alumna, she served as director of alumni affairs and director of admissions before holding positions as vice-president, student and community engagement, at Centennial College and most recently assistant vice-president, student life, at the University of Toronto.
Brock University has appointed Andrew Gaudes the next dean of the Goodman School of Business, effective July 1. Dr. Gaudes was dean of the University of Regina’s Paul J. Hill School of Business and the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business. He previously served as director of graduate studies and associate dean for international programs at the University of New Brunswick.
Lesley Brown becomes Mount Royal University’s provost and vice-president, academic, starting July 1. She has spent the past 20 years at the University of Lethbridge, most recently serving as vice-provost and associate vice-president, academic. A scholar in the field of kinesiology, Dr. Brown’s research has examined fall prevention in the elderly and people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Lisa Philipps has become interim vice-president, academic, and provost at York University, effective May 1. Dr. Philipps is a faculty member at York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, where she has held administrative positions since 1996. She has served as chair of the academic policy, planning and research committee of the university senate and was associate vice-president, research, from 2011 to 2014.
The University of New Brunswick has named Joanne Wright dean of arts at its Fredericton campus. Dr. Wright is a professor of political science and has previously served as acting associate dean of arts and acting dean of arts at UNB. She holds a PhD from York University.
Mike McAllister is the new registrar and assistant vice-provost, student affairs, at Dalhousie University, as of May 1. Dr. McAllister was previously associate dean, academic, in Dalhousie’s faculty of computer science, where he has been a faculty member since 1999. He holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia.
Carleton University has appointed Rafik Goubran vice-president, research and international. He served as dean of the faculty of engineering and design at the university for nearly a decade. Dr. Goubran, who earned a PhD in electrical engineering from Carleton, is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
David Graham is the new provost and vice-president, academic, at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Graham, a French studies professor, took on this position on May 1 after serving four years as provost and vice-president, academic affairs, at Concordia University.
Ione Challborn has been appointed chair of the board of governors at MacEwan University, for a term of up to three years. She currently serves as executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Edmonton Women’s Shelter.
Brigitte Harris is the new dean of the faculty of social and applied sciences at Royal Roads University as of April 1, a role she has held on an interim basis over the previous year. Dr. Harris began teaching at Royal Roads’ school of leadership studies in 2001. She was appointed associate professor in 2011 and school director in 2012.
The University of Guelph has named alumna Martha Billes its next chancellor. Ms. Billes is a business leader, philanthropist and controlling shareholder of Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. She founded the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and is a former board member of the Sunnybrook Foundation and a former trustee of the Calgary Women’s Shelter Endowment Fund.
Catherine Davidson has been appointed librarian at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, effective June 1. Ms. Davidson served as associate university librarian at York University and was a representative on a committee of the Ontario Council of University Libraries. She holds a master’s degree in library science from the University of Toronto.
Vivian Manasc has been appointed chair of governors at Athabasca University. Ms. Manasc currently serves as the senior principal of Manasc Isaac, an Alberta-based architectural and engineering studio. She is also a member of the National Capital Commission advisory committee on design and holds an MBA from the University of Alberta.
Ben Hyman is the new university librarian at Vancouver Island University as of Feb. 13. Mr. Hyman received the President’s Award from the B.C. Library Association in 2014 and holds a master’s degree in information studies from the University of Alberta.
The University of Saskatchewan has appointed Keith Willoughby dean of the Edwards School of Business. Dr. Willoughby, who was awarded the university’s highest teaching honour in 2015, will begin his five-year term on July 1 after serving one year as interim dean of the school.
Salah Bachir will become OCAD University’s fourth chancellor as of June 1. A successful entrepreneur and avid art collector, Mr. Bachir is president of Cineplex Media. He has supported many cultural organizations as a patron of the arts and is supportive of the LGBTQ community and healthcare issues.