After an extensive nationwide search, Tim Tang has been appointed as the university’s associate vice-president, Students (AVPS).

“We’re very pleased to welcome Tim to MacEwan,” says Dr. Craig Monk, provost and vice-president, Academic. “Tim’s experience and skill set makes him ideal for the role, which will play an important part in creating an overarching vision and strategy for supporting student access, health, wellness and growth at MacEwan, from the moment our students first walk through our doors throughout their entire time at the university.”

The AVPS is responsible for the planning, development, organization and administration of student-related policy and services. The position portfolio is wide-ranging and encompasses the service units that are crucial for student success, including the Academic Advising Centre, Wellness and Psychological Services, Access and Disability Resources, the Exam Services Centre, the Academic Integrity Office and Student Conduct.

The position also leads initiatives that set students up for success, such as the First-Year Experience, New Student Orientation and Parent Orientation, as well as those that enrich students’ time at the university, including Griffins Athletics and the MacEwan Ambassadors Program.

“This position will be key in cultivating an inclusive environment and creating a sense of community at the university, and to fostering an understanding and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Dr. Monk. “As such, the role of AVPS will be highly collaborative, working closely with areas across the university, including kihêw waciston and SAMU.”

“Tim brings to MacEwan more than fifteen years of experience at universities in Ontario and Alberta,” says President Annette Trimbee. “He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting students, with an emphasis on underrepresented learners. He has worked across the portfolios in Student Affairs, and his experience with recruitment, retention and EDI initiatives positions him to collaborate across senior leadership.”

Tang is currently assistant registrar and director, Admissions at the University of Alberta, where he oversees the effective management and evaluation of more than 60,000 applications annually for admission to over 200 undergraduate and professional programs, and contributes to the development and delivery of strategic enrolment plans in collaboration with the faculties and University of Alberta International.

Prior to that, Tang held leadership roles at the University of Toronto, Queen’s and York University. While at Queen’s, he played a key role in establishing a new central unit with a mandate to help shape a holistic student experience through the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services designed to facilitate student engagement and retention, and prioritize success for diverse learners from admissions through to graduation and beyond.

Tang received his M.Ed. and MPA from Queen’s in the areas of assessment and evaluation, educational policy, and organizational behaviour and leadership. He also holds a B.Sc. (Honours) from the University of Toronto.

The search was conducted by executive search firm Janet Soles & Associates. Dr. Monk chaired the search committee which included Laura Bruner, Student Conduct Officer; Dr. Craig Kuziemsky, AVP Research; Dr. Noufou Ouedraogo, Professor, School of Business; Karen Ravagnolo, Manager, Academic Advising; Danica Rose, Learning Specialist, Student Affairs; Dr. Melike Schalomon, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science; Alycia Stewart, SAMU VP-Academic and Ruth Thongdee, Athletics Services Administrator.

Tang will begin his appointment on June 1, 2021.