Cynthia Mathieson, Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
UBC’s Board of Governors has approved the appointment of new Deans for the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty of Health and Social Development at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
Cynthia Mathieson, current Acting Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, has been appointed as Dean for a three-year term, starting July 1.
“Dr. Mathieson brings a number of strengths to this position,” says Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, Provost and Vice Principal. “She has strong cross-disciplinary experience and a strong understanding of both the sciences and arts. She has a proven record of internal administrative experience as institute director, unit head, acting Dean of Graduate Studies, and acting Dean.”
Mathieson, a professor of psychology, has a Master of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University, and a Master of Science and a PhD from the University of Calgary. She has served as Acting Dean of the faculty since January 2009.
The Board has approved the appointment of Mary Courtney as Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development for five years, starting August 1.
Mary Courtney, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development
Courtney completed her in education in Australia and has a professional background in nursing, including specialization in midwifery and maternal and child health. She obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from Griffith University in Brisbane, a Master of Health Planning from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, and a PhD from the University of New England, Armidale. She is currently the Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
“Dr. Courtney is regarded as a leader in building external community relationships,” says Provost Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “She has improved engagement, networking, and integration of her faculty with appropriate health and other agencies in order to enhance the teaching, research, and fund-raising capacity of the faculty.”
A highly respected and accomplished researcher, Courtney has published seven books and monographs, 21 book chapters, 100 referred journal articles, and 13 reports. In addition to her exceptional research career, she is also an outstanding teacher. She has received recognition for her achievements in teaching, including being awarded the Queensland University of Technology Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of sustained excellence in teaching and outstanding teaching practice.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Courtney and Dr. Mathieson in their new roles as Deans of very vibrant and growing faculties on our campus,” says Abd-El-Aziz.
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