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I am pleased to announce that Professor Santa J. Ono has been reappointed for a second term as President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC.
Professor Ono joined UBC as the university’s 15th President and Vice-Chancellor in 2016. During his first term, he led the comprehensive, consultative process to create UBC’s strategic plan, Shaping UBC’s Next Century. Through the strategic plan, he has spearheaded initiatives supporting teaching and learning excellence, attracting top faculty members in a wide range of disciplines, and world-changing research, including interdisciplinary work across the university.
Professor Ono has also been a leader in commitments supporting student, faculty and staff health and wellbeing; equity, inclusion and diversity; Indigenous reconciliation and engagement; sustainability and climate action.
He was recently appointed to lead the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3), a network of 22 leading North American research universities working to accelerate local and regional climate action. UBC has built upon its reputation as a sustainability leader, being ranked first in Canada and seventh globally in meeting the United Nations’ sustainable development goals according to the 2020 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Professor Ono has also brought thoughtfulness to our relationships with Indigenous communities and commitment to reconciliation, including the opening of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre and issuing an apology for the university’s role in that history. He has been a clear voice on behalf of the university with regard to systemic racism, and will continue to make anti-racism and anti-discrimination a priority in his second term.
Professor Ono’s collaborative and consultative leadership style has served UBC well. He has connected on a personal level with students, faculty, staff and the broader community through his open and engaging communication style. He was also instrumental in launching and leading the Blue & Gold Campaign for Students, the largest fundraising campaign for students in UBC history. Three of UBC’s most successful fundraising years, including the largest individual year, occurred during Professor Ono’s first term.
Over the last four years, Professor Ono has played a key role in leading UBC in the renewal and modernization of its HR, Finance and Student systems. We look forward to seeing the first phase of the Integrated Renewal Program launch in November this year and to begin to realize the benefits of those systems.
Many stakeholders within the UBC community provided comments as part of the reappointment process. On behalf of the Board of Governors, thank you to all those who took the time to share their feedback.
As we look to the start of the new academic year, we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty due to COVID-19. However, UBC is well positioned to handle these challenges, and the Board of Governors has every confidence in Professor Ono’s ability to help steer UBC through these unique times. Further, the board believes that his reappointment provides the best opportunity for UBC to continue on its path as a globally-recognized university providing excellence in teaching, learning and research.
Please join me in warmly congratulating Professor Ono on his reappointment.
Nancy McKenzie
Chair, UBC Board of Governors
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