The University of Guelph has named Lisa Latif as its new registrar.
Latif will join U of G on Aug. 28. She will oversee the Office of Registrarial Services, including focusing on recruitment of more diverse students from Canada and internationally.
Latif was selected after an extensive search by a committee led by Dr. Gwen Chapman, provost and vice-president (academic).
“Lisa is a strategic and collaborative leader with a profound understanding of how the post-secondary landscape is evolving,” said Chapman. “Her demonstrated success in modernizing systems and technology and fostering a culture of service excellence will serve U of G well as we look to transform academic support services and enhance the student experience.”
“The University of Guelph has a long history of developing exceptional thinkers and engaged citizens,” said Latif. “I am eager to collaborate with the team in the Office of Registrarial Services and colleagues across campus to build on this history through the recruitment and support of talented students locally and from around the world. Together, we can grow the global, inclusive and student-centred community at the University of Guelph.”
At U of G, Latif will oversee the Lincoln Alexander Student Service Centre (“The Linc”) and departments of enrolment services, student financial services, admission services, scheduling, and registrarial systems and technology.
She will also help lead initiatives to recruit and admit more diverse students, in line with the University’s strategic plan goal to increase U of G’s international enrolment by up to one-quarter of the campus student population.
International recruitment was among Latif’s responsibilities at Western University, where she has most recently been associate registrar (student central and exams) and director of administration.
She has advised senior leaders, overseen numerous processes and functions, managed budgets and budget planning, and supported the 150+ staff members in the office of the registrar. She also worked with deans and Western’s recruitment team to attract more international students.
As acting registrar in 2022-23, she led an initiative to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), including improving admissions policies at Western, particularly for international applicants and students from diverse backgrounds.
A 25-year employee at Western, Latif was a team leader in financial aid as well as training and security and served as an associate registrar in Student Central, Western’s one-stop shop for registrarial services.
She is recognized for her superior leadership skills, her expertise in using student information technology for student service, a focus on continuous improvement and an ability to manage collaborative projects.
Latif has served on university committees on planning, global engagement, EDI data governance, information security and convocation.
She holds bachelor of arts and education degrees and a master’s degree in library and information science from Western, where she has also been completing a PhD in library and information science.
“With her experience, skills and background, Lisa will play a vital role in advancing our institution’s commitment to academic excellence and student success,” said Chapman, who also thanked Dr. Byron Sheldrick, associate vice-president (academic), for his leadership as interim registrar over the past eight months.