To the University of Alberta Community:
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am pleased to announce that Bill Flanagan has been reappointed as the University of Alberta’s president and vice-chancellor for a second term.
President Flanagan is an outstanding leader and innovator, brought here to help us excel — which he has done. Upon joining the U of A in 2020, he faced acute financial pressures and a $222 million reduction in provincial funding. Instead of closing programs and faculties to make up for the budget shortfall, he launched the largest and most ambitious program of academic and administrative restructuring ever undertaken by a Canadian university.
During his term, the university has seen record enrolment of more than 45,000 students, as well as more than $2.34 billion in total research investments and $569.6 million in total fundraising. The U of A has also seen its international rankings rise to new levels — the university now ranks 96th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and sixth in the world for its work to address humanity’s greatest sustainability challenges, according to the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
President Flanagan was also instrumental in the creation of the university’s strategic plan, Shape, which sets a bold path forward for the next decade. With Shape, the university is aiming to grow its enrolment to 60,000 by 2033 to meet the needs of Alberta’s growing population; the plan will also help the university grow its research impact, both nationally and internationally.
At our June 14 board meeting, we received recommendations from both the Presidential Review Committee and the Board Human Resources and Compensation Committee. The Board has voted to endorse these recommendations, and has appointed President Flanagan to a second term.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the Presidential Review Committee for their time, effort and guidance.
Please join me in congratulating President Flanagan on his reappointment. I look forward to working with him as we continue our work for the public good.
Sincerely,
Kate Chisholm, KC
Chair, University of Alberta Board of Governors