The Okanagan campus is now in its ninth year and fully committed to its mission of advancing and sharing knowledge, and excellence in research. Currently the academic and research portfolios both fall under the mandate of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic and Research), while research is delegated to the Vice-Provost Research who is also Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
To support the increasingly complex and growing academic and research portfolios and the growing graduate student population, the existing role of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic and Research) is being separated into two full-time roles and the role of Dean of Graduate Studies is being expanded to a full-time position:
- The Provost and Vice-Principal Academic will focus on academic leadership and administration for the campus.
Effective September 1, 2013, Dr. Cynthia Mathieson, Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, will serve as Acting Provost and Vice-Principal Academic, and Dr. Barbara Rutherford will serve as Acting Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Louise Nelson will serve as Acting Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Planning during Dr. Rutherford’s secondment to the role of Acting Dean.
An advisory committee has been established to recommend selection of the long-term appointment for the position of Provost and Vice-Principal Academic.
- The newly created role of Vice-Principal Research will report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Vice-President Research and International. This will allow the support of research and innovation to be the full-time focus of an individual who is a member of the executive team in the Okanagan and also directly linked to the system Vice-President Research and International.
Effective September 1, 2013, Dr. Gordon Binsted, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development and Acting Provost and Vice-Principal, will serve as Acting Vice-Principal Research and Innovation.
An advisory committee is being established to recommend a long-term appointment for this position. More information on this will be posted shortly.
- Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies. Dr. Miriam Grant, who has served as Vice-Provost Research as well as Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will become the Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies. This will allow Dr. Grant to focus on our rapidly expanding graduate and post-doctoral programs. An Associate Dean of Graduate Studies position has also been created to support graduate programming.
These changes in academic and research leadership will facilitate increased attention and focus on supporting research and scholarship, and excellence in teaching and learning across all Faculties and Schools and the College of Graduate Studies.