TORONTO, Canada – A Trinidad-born academic has been appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of one of the oldest universities in Canada.
A statement issued by the Victoria University in The University of Toronto, said that Dr Rhonda McEwen will be the University’s 14th President and Vice-Chancellor in its 186-year history.
Dr McEwen will begin her five-year tenure on July 1, 2022, succeeding Dr William Robins who has served as President and Vice-Chancellor since 2015.
Dr McEwen currently serves as University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) vice-principal, academic and dean with oversight of all academic programs, planning and policy, faculty, teaching and learning, and academic experience.
“The Board of Regents is thrilled to welcome an academic leader whose career exemplifies the ideals of intellectual curiosity and engaged conversation, which are so deeply embedded in the ethos of Victoria University,” said Cynthia Crysler, chair of the Board of Regents.
“Dr McEwen has led transformative academic programmes and initiatives at U of T that prepare students for a rapidly changing world. As a researcher, her focus on communications technology is rigorous and impactful and her leadership in supporting equity, diversity, inclusion and access has garnered support across the U of T community.”
The university said that as an academic leader, Dr McEwen has grown programmes that respond to the global environment and are driven by innovation.
It said as Director of the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology (ICCIT) at UTM, she transformed the programme to a stand-alone unit with a new professional experience certificate in digital media, communication and technology. Enrolment grew by more than 20 per cent and student retention improved to more than 90 per cent.
“I am honoured to be joining the Vic community of students, faculty and alumni where teaching and learning are driven by curiosity and conscience through outstanding academic offerings and signature learning experiences, and whose students and faculty embrace inclusive education,” said Dr McEwen.
“I know that Vic’s iconic campus and wonderful sense of place will continue to inspire me as we build on the University’s record of success,” said the Trinidad-born McEwen.
She is the recipient of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grants that explore the potential uses of emerging technologies in student development and participation. She co-authored the peer-reviewed book Understanding Tablets from Early Childhood to Adulthood and her research has been shared in more than 47 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and books. CMC