Tuesday, June 16, 2026 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)
Where Excellence Thrives, the Faculty of Engineering's 2025-2030 strategic plan, launched on January 6, 2025.
2026 Update to Strategic Vision: A Dialogue with the Dean of Engineering
Mary Wells, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, is excited to share an update on the transformative new vision the Faculty of Engineering - one that positions the Faculty as leaders driving meaningful change for the future.
Guided by Waterloo at 100, the University of Waterloo’s long-term vision, the Faculty of Engineering will share an update on Where Excellence Thrives, a strategic plan that aims to shape the Faculty’s direction over the next five years (2025-2030). This plan outlines exactly how the Faculty of Engineering is embracing opportunities, tackling challenges and leading with purpose on the global stage.
Your voice as an engineering alumnus has been essential in shaping this vision and its progress. Alumni contributions, especially from members of our Dean’s Advisory Council, were invaluable during the consultation process. Their thoughtful insights ensured this vision reflects the aspirations of engineering alumni and the broader community that the Faculty of Engineering serves.
We hope you’ll see how Where Excellence Thrives continues to build on your legacy of excellence and how it will strengthen the Faculty of Engineering’s position as a global leader in furthering the greater global good.
Engineering alumni are invited to explore the strategic plan and to hear an update by joining one of the upcoming alumni roundtables (two virtual options are available on MS Teams). The roundtables will provide an opportunity to discuss the plan's progress to date and its real-world impact.
Virtual session options
- Option 1: June 16, 2026 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm EDT
- Option 2: June 17, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm EDT
Virtual: MS Teams (link to be provided to those who register)
You will be sent a link to join the virtual session of your choice when you register. If these sessions do not work for your time zone but you would like to share feedback, please contact us.
Registration
Biography
Professor Mary A. Wells
Dean, Faculty of Engineering
University of Waterloo
Dr. Mary Wells is dean of engineering at the University of Waterloo, home to Canada's largest engineering school. A materials engineer by training, she is recognized nationally as a leading voice shaping the future of engineering education, research and talent in Canada.
Across industry, academia and public service, Wells has built a career connecting people and ideas to address complex challenges. Before returning to Waterloo, she was dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Guelph (2017 – 2020) and previously held faculty appointments at the University of British Columbia (1996 – 2007) and the University of Waterloo (2007 – 2017). She has worked in the steel industry both in Canada and abroad.
As Chair of Engineering Deans Canada, Wells leads national discussions on the evolution of engineering education, working with government and industry to strengthen innovation and diversify the engineering talent pipeline. She also serves on the Government of Canada's AI Strategy Task Force, contributing expertise on public trust in emerging technologies, and is a member of the TRuST Collective, a national network advancing confidence in science and technology.
A Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Wells is also an accomplished researcher whose work in metallurgical processing has informed aerospace, automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Connect with Mary Wells on LinkedIn.