Dear colleagues,
With mixed feelings, I share the news that Lesley Cormack, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, will be leaving the University of Alberta at the end of June. This afternoon, the University of British Columbia — Okanagan Campus announced that she has been appointed their new Principal and Vice-Chancellor. This is an exciting opportunity for Dean Cormack — and richly deserved, given the depth and quality of her academic leadership. Our university and the Faculty of Arts will greatly miss her energy, vision and passion.
Lesley took up the position of Dean of the Faculty of Arts on July 1, 2010, after a term as the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences at Simon Fraser University. Prior to that, she spent 17 years as a professor in the Department of History and Classics at the University of Alberta.
In her time as Dean, Lesley has led a number of significant initiatives in the Faculty of Arts, including consultation on and development of two strategic plans. Her priorities have included strategic investment in interdisciplinary research, through the development of the Kule Institute for Advanced Studies and the creation of signature areas of research in the faculty, and increasing the faculty’s work on Indigenous engagement through student recruitment, faculty recruitment, and development of Indigenous content. Lesley piloted the Arts Work Experience co-op program and worked to increase student participation in work experience, community service learning, international study, research, and eHub (in partnership with Business). She has been a leader at the U of A in program rationalization and restructuring.
I have always been grateful for the strong, thoughtful, and passionate perspectives that Lesley has brought to her leadership role, on topics that include equity, diversity, and inclusion, the importance of the student experience, and the integral value of the Faculty of Arts and its disciplines to the educational fabric of the U of A. She has been a valued colleague, and a supportive and dedicated advocate for our university.
Please join me in thanking Lesley for her outstanding service to the University of Alberta and wishing her all the best in her exciting new role at the University of British Columbia — Okanagan.
Steven Dew
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)