People and titles

• In a first reference, give an individual’s full appropriate title. In the second and subsequent references, use their surname only. 
• Use professor, not “assistant professor,” “associate professor” or “research professor” as personal titles. 
• Use president-designate, not “president-elect,” when referring to the next University president.

• The use of Dr. supports equity, diversity and inclusion in our community.

  • Use the title Dr. in front of the names of any faculty, staff member or postdoctoral scholar who has been awarded a doctoral degree.
  • Use degree description if pertinent to the story (e.g., “Dr. Margaret Rose, who holds a doctorate in Biology …”
  • The title Dr. will be used in the first references (e.g., “Dr. Margaret Rose” on first reference and “Rose” on additional references).
  • If someone prefers to use another title rather than the title Dr., writers will defer to the preference of the subject (e.g., professor).
  • Confirm with the subject if they are a PhD student (enrolled in doctoral coursework and working towards their degree) or PhD candidate (has completed course requirements but not their dissertation/) when referencing a doctoral graduate student's title.
  • Note: in this instance, Waterloo does not follow the CP Style for the use of Dr. In our stories and news releases. CP Style is to use Dr. only for licensed health-care professionals who are members of the following colleges or their equivalents in other jurisdictions. 

• Lowercase job titles. The job title should follow the name.
• The job title should not precede the name.
  Note: This style differs from The Canadian Press Stylebook. 
• Do not capitalize occupations, professions or job names. 
• Capitalize only current title holders. 
• Job titles/professions can be capitalized when titles stand alone or are used in email signatures, website contact cards, lists and business cards and lists. 
• Refer to the brand standards for guidelines on information to include in your Waterloo email signature.  

Note: Job titles may appear in all caps when placed in design layout. 

Examples: 

• Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor, will deliver opening remarks. 
• Dr. Vivek Goel is president-designate for the University of Waterloo.
• The current chancellor is His Excellency Dominic Barton, Canada’s ambassador to China and global managing partner emeritus of McKinsey & Company.
• David Johnston, former president of the University of Waterloo 
• former president James Downey 
• Sheila Ager is Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts dean
• Jim Rush, vice-president academic and provost 
• Cindy Forbes, chair of the Board of Governors 
• Raouf Boutaba, associate dean (innovation and entrepreneurship) in the Faculty of Math 
• Nobel laureate Donna Strickland 
• Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, the Governor General (Canada), the governor general (others), former governor general Ed Schreyer, governors general (pl.), Governor General's Awards, Governor General's Literary Awards (never GG or GGs), Governor General's Horse Guards

See Organization charts for a current list of Waterloo senior leadership and staff, as well as their titles. Refer to The Canadian Press Stylebook for style rules about to titles of nobility, government, military, etc.  

See Buildings for the full names of buildings named after notable people.