Wednesday, February 7, 2018

James Rush is Waterloo's next Provost

The University of Waterloo has appointed Professor James Rush as its new vice-president, academic & provost.

Rush, who joined the University in 2000, currently serves as the dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) at Waterloo. He has held a number of other posts, including associate dean of graduate studies and research, associate chair of graduate studies, and chair of the Department of Kinesiology.

Rush holds a Bachelor and Master of Science from the University of Guelph, and a PhD in medical physiology from the State University of New York Medical Centre at Syracuse. Rush completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia Dalton Cardiovascular Research Centre. His research interests relate to the regulation of blood vessel function, with a particular focus on the effects of hypertension, age and exercise on blood vessel health. He held the Canada Research Chair in Integrative Vascular Biology for ten years.

“In addition to his strong record of academic leadership and scholarship, Jim will bring vigour, vision, and a steady hand to the role of vice-president, academic & provost,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur. “Jim has been an exceptional colleague and dean and is well placed to continue to serve the Waterloo community."

During his time as Dean of Applied Health Sciences, Rush has overseen continuous growth in the Faculty at all levels and has been able to grow research funding to record levels. His tenure also saw significant new infrastructure put in place to accommodate growth.

Rush has demonstrated commitment to students’ needs with a record of teaching excellence at all levels and innovations to enhance learning. He has fostered strong collaborations between the Faculty’s teaching fellows and the Centre for Teaching Excellence and in 2015 funded a position in AHS responsible for graduate student recruitment and retention.

Rush was also an early adopter of mandatory equity training for hiring committees and has been an avid supporter of the UN Women’s HeforShe campaign both faculty and University-wide.

"I am thrilled to take on this new role, particularly at this exciting phase of the University of Waterloo's history," said Rush. "I look forward to working with the president, the leadership, and the entire campus community to advance its strategic priorities, and to providing guidance and direction on the Academic portfolio and operations of the University."

Rush’s appointment takes effect on July 1, 2018, when he will take over from George Dixon, who has been acting as interim provost while the University conducted its search. Rush’s initial five-year term will conclude on June 30, 2023.

Executive actions in Dubai and beyond

It's Wednesday, February 7. Do you know where your president is?

Here is a non-exhaustive list of President Hamdullahpur's recent activities both on and off campus and a look ahead at what's on his calendar.

As previously reported in the Daily Bulletin, President Hamdullahpur spent several days in Europe last month, visiting King's College London and the University of Bordeaux in France. On January 26, the two institutions announced the official launch of a joint Bachelor exchange program in biobased chemistry with the University of Bordeaux. Check out what the president has to say about the agreement here:

So what's ahead for the president?

Tonight, President Hamdullahpur will deliver introductory remarks at the annual Hagey Lecture, which features mathematician Cathy O'Neill giving an address entitled "Weapons of Math Destruction." The sold-out lecture takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre.

Later this week, President Hamdullahpur will depart for another round of international travel, this time focused in Turkey and Dubai.

On Tuesday, February 13, the president will deliver remarks at the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education conference in Dubai, which brings together key stakeholders and thought leaders to discuss the skills gaps in university graduates and graduates and the potential role that philanthropy and private actors can play in supporting efforts to graduate work-ready youth. President Hamdullahpur's keynote address will cover co-operative education, student entrepreneurship, and how Waterloo effectively prepares graduates for leadership in the new economy.

On Wednesday, February 14, President Hamdullahpur will be the EURIE 2018 Keynote Speaker at the Eurasia Higher Education Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. The president will be speaking on “Higher Education Under the Microscope: Why is Innovation in Higher Education Essential for Our Future?”

Continuing the conversation about workplace mental health

A message from Occupational Health.

Did you know 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and 50 percent will do so by the time they turn 40? Are you concerned that two thirds of people with mental illness will not seek help because they are afraid of the stigma attached to mental illness?

On Wednesday, February 28 at 12:00 pm, your Occupational Health Department will host 25 employees for a 40 minute interactive Brown Bag Lunch and Learn on five ways to end stigma around mental illness in your workplace.

We will focus on appropriate language, educate ourselves about mental health stigma, learn how to be kind to those with mental health issues, practice how to listen and ask questions to those struggling in their work day, and absorb how to talk about this topic with others in your workplace.

This is first come first serve attendance, and there are only 25 spots available. RSVP to occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca by Wednesday, Februray 21 to reserve a spot now.

The lunch and learn will take place in the COM Room 116E, across from the Occupational Health Office and next door to the Safety Office. Bring your own lunch!

Occupational Health will have resources available about mental health programs that can be offered in your department.

Wednesday's notes

The latest in the Noon Hour Concert series takes place today at 12:30 p.m. in the Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Still and Again features Ben Bolt-Martin, a renowned local cello player (and director of the Instrumental Chamber Ensemble), who will perform mostly original music for solo cello with a looper.

Conrad Grebel University College's Peace and Conflict Studies program is hosting a special event featuring Chris Cowie, executive director of Community Justice Initiatives, on Friday, February 9.

The event, part of the Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship Conference, a three day conference that explores the meaning, history, and practice of restorative justice, is entitled "Waterloo as a Restorative Region" and will be held at Conrad Grebel's Great Hall (CGR 1111).

"Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) of Waterloo Region has a long and rich history of providing restorative justice programming," says a note from Conrad Grebel. "CJI is credited with starting the first victim offender mediation program in 1974 and since that time have innovated restorative responses to situations of conflict, crime, and abuse."

The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include Redfin, League, Splunk, Stripe, LinkedIn, SNC Lavalin and ATS Automation. Visit the employer information calendar for more details.