Announcing the search for a new Vice-President, Students

To: Faculty, staff and students in Vancouver and the Okanagan

I wish to announce that UBC has embarked on a search for a suitable candidate for the position of Vice-President, Students.

Last month our current Vice-President, Louise Cowin, announced her decision to resign from the position. During her time at UBC, Louise has demonstrated exceptional leadership in enhancing the student experience and a strong commitment to creating an inclusive and connected UBC community. She served in ways that brought out the best in everyone she worked with, and we will miss her open, respectful and accountable leadership.

Looking ahead, the new Vice-President, Students, will report to the President and provide strategic leadership to the VP, Students portfolio – helping to accomplish the vision, commitments and goals of our new strategic plan: Shaping UBC’s Next Century.

Responsibilities for this role include leadership in the undergraduate experience, community service learning, student development, student housing, food services and athletic and recreation services.

In accordance with UBC Policy #34, I have established a committee to support this search process and recommend a suitable candidate for the position.

The committee consists of:

  • Santa Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor (Chair)
  • Jakob Gattinger, Board of Governors
  • Darran Fernandez, Board of Governors
  • Barbara Meens Thistle, Vice-President, Human Resources
  • Blye Frank, Dean, Faculty of Education
  • Trudy Kavanagh, Associate Dean, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
  • Paul Harrison, Faculty of Science
  • Marium Hamid, AMS President
  • Pouya Rezaeinia, GSS
  • Janet Teasdale, Managing Director, Student Services
  • Kavie Toor, Senior Director, Facilities, Recreation, and Sports Partnerships
  • Pam Ratner, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment and Academic Facilities
  • Ian Cull, Associate Vice-President, Students, UBC Okanagan

A member of the President’s Office staff will act as non-voting secretary to the committee.

To assist the search committee in their efforts, we would appreciate input from interested faculty, staff and students on the following questions:

  1. What do you see as some of the key opportunities and challenges ahead of the Vice-President, Students, in the coming years?
  2. What experience and personal qualities would you want an ideal candidate to bring to the role?
  3. Any other comments that might be useful to the committee?
  4. Any suggestions of potential candidates for this role?

To share your views, please email your comments by June 22, 2018 to our search consultants at candice@pfmsearch.com. All responses will be kept confidential.

Professor Santa J. Ono
President and Vice-Chancellor