Lorena Fontaine has been named academic lead, Indigenous affairs, at the University of Winnipeg, overseeing its Indigenous course requirement, the Weweni Indigenous scholars speaker series and Indigenous languages. Dr. Fontaine is a member of Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and an associate professor with expertise in Indigenous language rights and the legacy of the residential schools. She has taught at First Nations University of Canada and the school of public policy at Queen’s University, and is currently teaching and researching at U of Winnipeg.
Angeline Nelson is the new director of community learning and engagement at the University of Winnipeg, where she will continue to foster relationships with Indigenous communities, particularly through the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre and U of Winnipeg’s community outreach programs.
Kevin Lamoureux has resumed his duties as the University of Winnipeg’s associate vice-president, Indigenous affairs. Lamoureux returned on Aug. 20, following a one-year leave for an interchange with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, during which he held the role of national education lead.
As of Sept. 4, business leader and technology expert Ty Shattuck is the new CEO of the McMaster Innovation Park. It’s a homecoming for Mr. Shattuck, who was chief operating officer for Trivaris Ltd., the innovation park’s founding tenant. He has held a series of senior leadership roles focusing on technology commercialization and investment in the digital, aerospace, and venture capital industries.
The University of Lethbridge appointed Mike Whipple director of the office of the president, as of Sept. 17. Mr. Whipple earned a bachelor of arts in sociology at the U of L and a master of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. He has held the role of associate athletic director at U of L since 2015 and has been a member of the senate and key committees at the university since 2014.
Simon Bates has been appointed associate provost, teaching and learning, at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus. Dr. Bates was previously the academic director of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology at UBC. He is a passionate champion of evidence-based and technology-led learning and has taught in UBC’s department of physics since 2012.
Christina Hendricks has been appointed academic director of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus. Dr. Hendricks joined the centre in 2017 as the deputy academic director. She is also a professor of teaching in UBC’s department of philosophy and widely recognized for her work in open education.
Antony Card was appointed the new dean of education at Mount Saint Vincent University, starting in September. Dr. Card was previously at Memorial University, where he served as associate vice-president, research, at the Grenfell campus, and as director and dean of the school of human kinetics and recreation at the St. John’s campus.
Donna Strickland, an associate professor in the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Waterloo, has been named a winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics. Dr. Strickland shares half the $1.4 million prize with French laser physicist Gérard Mourou. The other half was awarded to U.S. physicist Arthur Ashkin. Drs. Mourou and Strickland published their pioneering research on pulsed lasers in 1985. This work formed the foundation of Dr. Strickland’s doctoral thesis while studying under Dr. Mourou at the University of Rochester in New York.
Paul Tsaparis is the new chair of York University’s board of governors since July 1. His service to York began in 1998 when he was invited to join the Schulich School of Business dean’s advisory board. In 2012, he joined the school as executive-in-residence, and he serves as a guest lecturer and an adviser to the master of business analytics program. In 2010, he was appointed to the board and has served on multiple committees. Mr. Tsaparis also serves as the chair of the Council of Chairs of Ontario Universities.
Jessica Riddell was appointed the executive director of the Maple League, a consortium of four undergraduate universities, as of July 1. Dr. Riddell holds the inaugural Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence at Bishop’s University. She is the regional vice-president for Canada on the Board of ISSoTL (International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) and a board member for the 3M National Executive Council. Dr. Riddell also writes the Adventures in Academe column in University Affairs.
Gavan Watson will step into a new role as director of Memorial University’s Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, starting Nov. 5. Dr. Watson comes to Memorial from Western University, where he serves as associate director, eLearning, in the centre for teaching and learning, and adjunct research professor in the faculty of education. Dr. Watson’s research interests include the scholarship of educational development practice, curriculum development and assessment in higher education, and the role of technology in supporting university instructional practices. He is a member of the board of directors of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and past chair of the Council of Ontario Educational Developers.
Moira McPherson became Lakehead University’s seventh president and vice-chancellor on Sept. 1. Dr. McPherson had been serving in the position on an interim basis since January 2018. She began her academic career at Lakehead in 1987 as an assistant professor in the department of physical education and athletics. She has also served as director of the school of kinesiology; associate vice-president, academic; and provost and vice-president, academic.
The University of Northern British Columbia has renewed the appointment of Daniel Weeks as president and vice-chancellor for a second term that runs through August 2023. Before joining UNBC in July 2014, Dr. Weeks was vice-president, research, at the University of Lethbridge and served in numerous academic roles over 16 years at Simon Fraser University. Dr. Weeks has also held visiting academic positions at McMaster University, and Purdue and Auburn Universities in the United States.
Max Liboiron has been named Memorial University’s associate vice-president of Indigenous research, on an interim basis, from Sept. 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2019. Dr. Liboiron is currently an assistant professor in the department of geography, with cross-appointments to the department of sociology and the Fisheries and Marine Institute. She is also director of the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research at Memorial.
Vancouver Island University has named Patricia O’Hagan dean of health and human services. She began her new role on June 1. Dr. O’Hagan was previously dean of health sciences, nursing and emergency medical services at the University of Hawaii’s Kapi’olani Community College, and before that managed continuing professional education for the faculty of health sciences at Douglas College in New Westminster, B.C. She is a board member of the National Consortium for Health Science Education and board chair for the High School – Health Sciences Pathway Advisory Council.
In August, Emily Carr University of Art + Design welcomed Steven Lam as dean of graduate studies and associate vice-president, research. Mr. Lam comes to ECU from Purchase College, State University of New York, where he taught in the graduate and sculpture programs and served as director of the School of Art + Design. He holds an MFA in Art from the University of California, Irvine.