Dr. Christine McWebb appointed AVP Faculty, Planning and Policy

The Office of the Vice-President, Academic & Provost announced this month that Dr. Christine McWebb has been appointed as Associate Vice-President, Faculty, Planning and Policy.

As the founding director of the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, McWebb was instrumental in developing the School’s strategic vision and set the stage for its continued growth and success. She also served as interim Associate Vice-President, International Operations in Waterloo International in 2020 as well as in numerous other administrative roles at the University of Waterloo and the University of Alberta, where she worked prior to joining Waterloo in 2003.

McWebb is full professor at the Stratford School with a cross-appointment in the Department of French Studies. Her research focuses on the digital humanities and late medieval French literature. She has published extensively in the areas of late medieval literature/culture, the interaction between text and iconography, scientific discourse in literature, and digital humanities. Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in digital cultures, digital experience innovation, and French literature and culture.

"In this AVP role, Dr. McWebb will be accountable for processes and practices related to faculty, and the distinctive elements of faculty life and lifecycle at the University, and will provide advice, support, and direction on Faculty Hiring Plans and issues arising from challenges and opportunities," Jim Rush, Provost, writes.

"Building out the newly created portfolio for faculty planning and policy is an exciting new opportunity," says McWebb. "I very much look forward to working with campus stakeholders and the campus community as we establish and shape this portfolio in line with the University’s Strategic Plan and the ‘Waterloo at 100’ draft vision paper. Leading the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business from a very small start-up operation to a fully established campus taught me the importance of collaboration and community-oriented leadership; this will also inform my approach to the AVP, Faculty Planning and Policy role."

Sheila Ager, Dean of Arts, also comments: “I know that Christine will bring to her new role the same dedication, commitment, and hard work that she brought to the Stratford School over the past decade. Under her directorship, the School has grown and flourished mightily. We will miss her, but I want to congratulate Christine sincerely on her new position.”