Dr. Byron Sheldrick has been appointed as the University of Guelph’s next associate vice-president (academic).
His three-year term will begin Jan. 1, 2023.
Currently interim dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS), Sheldrick will succeed Dr. Cate Dewey, who was appointed as AVP (academic) in 2018 and whose term will end in December.
“Byron has an exceptional depth and breadth of academic administrative experience at the University of Guelph,” said Dr. Gwen Chapman, provost and vice-president (academic).
“He is uniquely qualified to provide leadership in the academic portfolio in the coming years, which will be a crucial time for the University as we work to ensure that our program offerings are optimized to meet the needs of our students, internationalize our student body and ensure financial sustainability of the University.”
Sheldrick was formerly chair of the Department of Political Science as well as CSAHS associate dean (academic). He has served as interim dean since 2020.
He has been a member of the Board of Governors and Senate, including chairing the Board of Undergraduate Studies. Currently, he serves on the University’s strategic enrolment management executive committee.
In announcing his appointment, Chapman thanked Dewey for her leadership in the AVPA position.
“Cate has provided strong leadership during a very difficult time, helping guide the University through the turbulent academic transitions of the pandemic,” said Chapman.
Dewey continues to serve as director of U of G’s One Health Institute, launched in 2019 to build capacity in teaching, research and outreach in One Health programs.
Sheldrick joined U of G in 2006 from the University of Winnipeg. He also taught law at Keele University in the U.K.
He studied at Carleton University and York University and holds a law degree from the University of Toronto.
His research focuses on the intersection of law and political science, with particular interest in social movements, human rights and administrative law.
Sheldrick will take administrative leave in July and August and return to the interim position in CSAHS for the fall semester before beginning his new AVP position in the new year. Dr. Francesco Leri, CSAHS’s associate dean (research and graduate studies), will serve as interim dean during Sheldrick’s summer leave.