In November, I shared with the Board of Governors and General Faculties Council that we would be recruiting for a new full-time university secretary.
The role of the university secretary is to provide leadership and expertise to ensure the effective operation and administration of the university’s bicameral system of governance.
We are about to launch a search for this position. I will be chairing the search committee that includes representatives from the Board of Governors, General Faculties Council, academic staff, administration and students. The committee includes:
- President Bill Flanagan, Committee Chair
- Kate Chisholm, board representative
- Todd Gilchrist, administration representative
- Jerine Pegg, General Faculties Council
- Katherine Binhammer, academic representative
- Abner Monteiro, Student Union representative
- Anas Fassih, Graduate Students Association
- Jeannie Smith, chief of staff and support to the chair
The University of Alberta has engaged the executive search firm Pekarsky & Co. to lead the University Secretary search. To learn more about this opportunity or to apply, please see this link.
The university community's input is vital to this search's success. If you would like to provide input to Pekarsky & Co., please consider the questions below and send your feedback to feedback@pekarskyco.com by March 3.
- What characteristics, experience, or credentials are essential for the university secretary role?
- Along with post-secondary institutions, are there other specific organizations you would recommend Pekarsky & Co. include in their search for the university secretary?
- Do you have specific individuals you’d like to recommend for the university secretary role?
The posting will be made public on the U of A website, and we plan to conclude the process this spring.
The role of university secretary is central to the success and functioning of the university. I would like to thank Brad Hamdon, who has done an outstanding job managing the combined roles of university secretary and General Counsel. Brad will return to the full-time role as University General Counsel once the search is complete.
I look forward to hearing your input and a successful search.
Bill Flanagan
President and Vice-chancellor