As the academic year draws to a close, I’d like to recognize the many deans whose terms end on June 30, 2023, and welcome the leaders stepping into new roles on July 1, 2023.
College Dean Transitions
First, I want to thank Interim College Deans and Vice-Provosts Greta Cummings (Health Sciences) and Joseph Doucet (Social Sciences and Humanities), as well as Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell (Natural and Applied Sciences), who recently transitioned from her interim role into a five-year term as the college’s first dean. These three leaders have made incredible contributions to standing up the college model at the University of Alberta. Over the past two years, alongside the College General Managers, they have navigated uncharted waters to build foundations, setting the initial direction for the colleges, establishing the college offices, hiring talent into new and groundbreaking roles, and collaborating closely with faculties to transition into the new model. They have worked alongside numerous units and partners to ensure that the college model has become an integrated part of the university’s future.
On July 1, Brenda Hemmelgarn (Health Sciences) and Marvin Washington (Social Sciences and Humanities) will join Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell as College Deans and Vice-Provosts. I look forward to building on the foundations and vision set out by our interim leadership team to ensure the colleges bring together expertise from across our faculties and harness our collective strength to shape the future of postsecondary education and research at the U of A. We have established an excellent base from which the colleges can help to facilitate complex partnerships and support transformational research, simplify and streamline our administrative services, and contribute to a consistently excellent student experience across the U of A. My thanks to Greta and Joe, as well as to Matina, Brenda and Marvin, for helping to build this future for the university.
Faculty Dean Transitions
I also want to thank the many people who stepped into both permanent and acting leadership roles over the past years and whose terms are coming to a close, including: Shanthi Johnson (Public Health), Nathalie Kermoal (Native Studies), Diane Kunyk (Nursing), Kyle Murray (Business), Fred West (Science), and Helen Vallianatos and André Costopolous (Dean of Students). Their leadership has been essential in helping the university make critical steps forward during a period of significant change. I’m grateful to each of them for the creativity, insight and guidance they have brought to Dean’s Council, and for the work they have done to grow and steward their faculties and portfolios to position them for continual success.
I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of our outgoing leaders for their dedication and service, and I wish them continued success in their careers.
Verna Yiu
Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic)