Justin Wan appointed Associate Vice-President GSPA

Professor Justin Wan has been appointed Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (AVP GSPA) at the University of Waterloo, effective July 1, 2026, for a five-year term. Wan's appointment was recommended following a search process supported by the AVP GSPA Advisory Nominating Committee. 

The AVP, GSPA, is a member of the Provost’s senior leadership team and reports to the Vice‑President, Academic & Provost, reflecting the portfolio’s institution-wide scope and collaboration across faculties.   

Justin, a Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, has been a faculty member at Waterloo since 2001. He has held a range of administrative roles across his career, including Director of the Centre for Computational Mathematics in Industry and Commerce, Associate Director of the Cheriton School of Computer Science, and Director of Graduate Studies in Computer Science. 

Justin has been a member of the GSPA senior leadership team since 2023, first as an Assistant Vice-President, then alongside Professor Clarence Woudsma as Interim Co-Associate Vice-Presidents in 2024, and as Interim Associate Vice-President since 2025.  

“Justin has served as Interim AVP GSPA since 2024, providing steady and strategic leadership through a period of significant restructuring. Under his guidance, the portfolio has gained renewed clarity and focus, articulating GSPA's essential role in enhancing the overall experience of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, supervisors, and administrators across the institution,” said Tom Duever, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost. 

Through thoughtful consultation, transparency, and data-informed decision making, Justin has balanced strategic vision with operational effectiveness, strengthening relationships across faculties and central units and ensuring alignment with the University's broader academic priorities. He has advanced key initiatives in graduate admissions, workflow automation, and graduate work-integrated learning, as well as championing financial support for graduate students. 

During his time in GSPA, Justin has played a key role in strengthening Waterloo’s approach to postdoctoral affairs, including the implementation of the postdoctoral scholar guidelines and supporting resources managed by GSPA. He has also been active in supporting postdoctoral scholars through ongoing involvement in events, workshops and the annual postdoc appreciation week. Wan is pleased to continue the ongoing efforts to support postdoctoral affairs at Waterloo. 

Justin has been actively involved in many exciting initiatives during the last several years within GSPA, including being part of the PhD celebration and GRADflix, as well as supporting the administration of graduate studies at Waterloo, including chairing key intuitional committees. 

“We are delighted to have the continued leadership of Justin to guide us through the next five years, and expand supports to the graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs community at Waterloo,” shares Marianne Simm, Director, GSPA. 

Looking forward, Justin will lead work arising from the 2025 Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Portfolio Review Outcomes, and collaborating across the institution to implement key recommendations. These include oversight of the newly conceived Assistant Vice-President GSPA and Assistant Provost Graduate Students with more information will be forthcoming about the assistant VP search in the coming weeks.