It is with fondness but sadness that I share Dr. Gwen Chapman has made the decision to retire as Provost and Vice-President (Academic), as of July 31, 2024.
Dr. Chapman joined the University of Guelph in 2016 as the dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS) and was named Provost and Vice-President (Academic) in April 2021. Many of you have come to know Dr. Chapman during this time and have experienced the caliber of her steadfast leadership and commitment to broadening U of G’s national and international role in pursuing academic excellence.
As Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Chapman has made many invaluable contributions to the University including:
- Establishing the Teaching and Learning Network and the inaugural cohort of the University Teaching Leadership Fellows
- Continuing the advancement of U of G’s equity and diversity hiring with the launch of the Black and Indigenous faculty and staff hiring initiative in 2022, building on the Indigenous faculty hiring program initiated in 2016
- Mobilizing the Steering Committee for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Violence
- Managing a difficult budget process to support the University in addressing its budget deficit
- Navigating the University through the successful return to campus post COVID-19
I would like to thank Dr. Chapman for being a trusted advisor these past three years and serving our University with the utmost care. A celebration to thank Dr. Chapman will be held in the Spring of 2024. More information will be shared closer to that time.
As we look ahead, U of G will build from Dr. Chapman’s many accomplishments and continue promoting the important work being done at this world-class institution. As the chief academic, this position fundamentally shapes the academic programming and experiences of our faculty, staff and students. Over the next nine months, we will work in partnership with Dr. Chapman to complete the transition process. This includes commencing a formal search for our next Provost and Vice-President (Academic). We will share more with you in the coming weeks and months as this process unfolds.
Please join me in thanking Dr. Chapman for her contributions to the University and wishing her all the best.
Dr. Charlotte A. B. Yates
President and Vice-Chancellor