Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to take a few moments today to announce several academic leadership appointments.

I am pleased to let you know that we have been able to revive the vice-provost model for the upcoming year. You might recall that a dean or academic associate vice-president customarily steps forward to take on additional responsibilities in a developmental role, bringing greater visibility to that leader’s portfolio and providing more capacity in my office. Dr. Craig Kuziemsky will serve as the next vice-provost for a one-year term, beginning July 1.

Associate deans play an essential role in our administration. While I remain proud of the flat leadership structure in Academic Affairs, our modest expansion in the associate dean model is helping connect dean’s offices with department chairs, other faculty colleagues and our students. Associate deans presently serve three-year terms, renewable once. I served two terms as an AD, myself, elsewhere before returning to my regular faculty position and then moving on to different administrative opportunities.

In that spirit, let me acknowledge the exemplary work of Dr. Rob Wiznura, cycling out of his role as associate dean, Operations in the Faculty of Arts and Science, and Sandy Stift, cycling out of her role as associate dean in the Library. Dr. Wiznura has been an integral part of the dean’s office in various administrative roles for over a decade, and we are all grateful for his dedication. On July 1, Dr. Kevin Friesen will assume the role of associate dean, Operations for a three-year term. We are grateful, too, for Sandy Stift’s leadership in the Library over her two terms as associate dean, and we look forward to welcoming Dr. Eva Revitt to that role on July 1.

I would also like to acknowledge Sharon Hobden, who has agreed to extend her term as associate dean in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies through June 30, 2023. Rose Ginther has been reappointed to a second term as associate dean in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications. In the School of Continuing Education, Eaman Mah has been appointed associate dean, having served in an interim role this past year. In the Faculty of Nursing, I look forward to welcoming Jananee Rasiah to her faculty position in August, as well as welcoming her to the role of associate dean. Dr. Brian Parker will serve an additional one-year term as an interim associate dean.

I am pleased that this expansion of the associate dean model includes the appointments of associate deans to support the portfolios of the associate vice-president, Research and the associate vice-president, Students. Chandelle Rimmer has been appointed as associate dean, Students and, after serving a one-year interim role, Dr. Sandy Jung has been appointed associate dean, Research. Over the summer, we want to look at similar support for the School of Business and the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Cassie Prochnau and Dr. Craig Kuziemsky throughout 2021/22. On June 30, Professor Prochnau completes a one-year term as interim dean, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, following a one-year term as interim associate vice-president, Students. My thanks, too, to Dr. Kuziemsky for taking on the interim dean role in the School of Business this past year. I am sure that Dr. David Danto, dean, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, and Dr. Richard Perlow, dean, School of Business, have benefited from the work these colleagues have done in preparation for their arrival.

With best wishes,

Dr. Craig Monk

Provost & Vice-President, Academic

Originally distributed via GlobalMail on June 16, 2022