Dr. Brian Ingalls appointed Assistant Vice-President, GSPA and Assistant Provost, Graduate Students
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Brian Ingalls as Assistant Vice-President, GSPA and Assistant Provost, Graduate Students, effective September 1, 2026, for a two-year term. This appointment follows the recent organizational review of GSPA, which consolidated the previous two Assistant Vice-President positions into a single role.
Brian is a Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and has been a faculty member at the University of Waterloo since 2002. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to graduate education, student success, and academic leadership. He has served as Associate Chair, Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Applied Mathematics for seven years and, for the past two years, has served as Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs in the Faculty of Mathematics.
Through his interdisciplinary research program, Brian has developed extensive experience working across faculties. He holds cross-appointments in Biology and Chemical Engineering and supervises graduate students in multiple academic units, providing him with broad insight into graduate education and research across the University.
Brian is also recognized for his contributions to equity, inclusion, and Indigenous initiatives. He has served on several committees, including the Applied Mathematics EDI Committee, the Faculty of Mathematics Equity and Inclusive Communities Committee, the FAUW Equity Committee, and the STEM Indigenization Community of Practice.
A strong advocate for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, Brian's vision for graduate studies emphasizes creating conditions that enable all graduate students and postdocs to succeed and thrive academically, professionally, and personally. He has highlighted the importance of equitable access to supports, meaningful student engagement, and fostering a graduate community where diverse experiences and aspirations are recognized and valued.
Brian will support excellence in graduate education, thriving communities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and initiatives that advance the University's strategic priorities. Responsibilities span a broad range of activities, including enhancing the graduate student and postdoctoral experience, strengthening partnerships across the University, facilitating experiential learning and interdisciplinary opportunities, cultivating a strong and inclusive graduate community, and ensuring effective and efficient graduate processes. Reflecting the expanded scope of the role, Brian will also serve as Assistant Provost, Graduate Students, working closely with Chris Read, Associate Provost, Students, and partners across Chris’ portfolio to enhance the graduate student experience and strengthen coordination of services and supports for graduate students. A key priority during Brian's term will be leading a university-wide review of graduate student onboarding and transition programming, including Grad Ready and the Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Grad AIM), to ensure incoming graduate students are well supported as they begin their academic and research journeys at Waterloo.