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Dear ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ Community,

As you are aware from the on April 12, Professor Erica Walker has been appointed as Dean of ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2023. I will be continuing as Interim Dean until that time. I am very excited to welcome Professor Walker as the next Dean of ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ and I am working to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

In addition to this wonderful news, I am pleased to make a number of other announcements regarding ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½â€™s academic leadership positions for the 2022-23 academic year:

Professor Michele Peterson-Badali’s second term as Associate Dean, Research, International & Innovation, which was originally a two-year term from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022, will be extended for an additional year to June 30, 2023. Associate Dean since 2015, Michele has extensive, successful experience in the portfolio that will continue to provide leadership to ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½â€™s services and initiatives in research and innovation.

Professor Sarfaroz Niyozov, who has been serving in my place as Acting Associate Dean, Programs, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, has been appointed as Interim Associate Dean, Programs from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Professor Niyozov’s continuation in this role will ensure stable, experienced leadership of ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½â€™s academic programs and students portfolio.

Professor Doug McDougall has been appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. Doug has extensive administrative leadership experience as a former Chair of CTL and as ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½â€™s former Associate Dean, Programs. His interim appointment will provide stability and expertise to the department and as the search for a regular Chair continues.

These appointments have been made following broad consultation at ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ and approval by the University. I am confident that these appointments, along with the previously announced appointment of Professor Creso Sá as Chair of the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, for a five-year term starting July 1, 2022, will provide ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½â€™s leadership team with the stability and experience needed to ensure a successful transitional year as we welcome our new Dean.

I would also like to provide you with an update on some related items:

The Provost has given approval for ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ to conduct an external search for a tenure stream faculty member who will serve as the next Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2023. We expect to be able to launch this search in the coming weeks and I will provide you with more details when available.

The Advisory Committee to appoint the next Director of the of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study continues its important work, and I will keep you informed of developments in this process.

I am delighted that Michele and Sarfaroz will continue, and that Doug will join us, in these critical leadership roles during a pivotal year. Please join me in congratulating them!

Thank you,

Normand Labrie, Ph.D., FRSC
Professor and Interim Dean