Leadership

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs leadership

The strategic direction of graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs at the University of Waterloo is led by the Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (AVP, GSPA).  This is an academic role, held by a faculty member within the University. 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. The AVP, GSPA appointment is typically a five-year term with the possibility of a three-year re-appointment.  

Dr. Justin Wan is the current AVP, GSPA. Dr. Wan is a Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science. He has been a faculty member at the University of Waterloo since 2001. From 2010-2015, Justin was Director of the Centre for Computational Mathematics in Industry and Commerce. From 2015-2018, he served as Associate Director of the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science. Justin also led a cross-unit committee to develop a new Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MDSAI) program. Most recently, he was the Director of Graduate Studies in Computer Science, where he led the graduate office team during the turbulent pandemic times, ensuring that graduate students and their needs were at the forefront of the work of the team. During his most recent directorship tenure, Justin worked to support the financial needs of graduate students and created opportunities for efficiencies for staff and faculty within the faculty. Justin has been in GSPA since September 1, 2023. His current AVP, GPSA role ends in June 2031 (at the end of a five-year term, which began July 1, 2026). 

The AVP, GSPA in Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is supported by the Assistant Vice‑President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and Assistant Provost, Graduate Students. The Assistant Vice‑President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and Assistant Provost, Graduate Students supports excellence in graduate education and thriving communities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, while advancing the University’s strategic priorities. Responsibilities include enhancing the graduate student and postdoctoral experience, strengthening partnerships across the University, supporting experiential learning and interdisciplinary opportunities, fostering a strong and inclusive graduate community, and ensuring effective and efficient graduate processes. The role also works closely with partners across the University to strengthen the coordination of services and supports for graduate students, including initiatives related to graduate student onboarding and transition programming.

Dr. Brian Ingalls is the current Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and Assistant Provost, Graduate Students. Brian is a Professor in Applied Mathematics and has been a faculty member at the University of Waterloo since 2002. He has served as Associate Chair, Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Applied Mathematics for seven years and served as Associate Dean, Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Mathematics for two years. Brian 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. 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. 

The Director, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, is the most senior staff role within GSPA. They are a key member of the GSPA leadership team and oversee the administrative function of graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs at the University. 

Marianne Simm is the current Director, GSPA. Marianne works collaboratively with the teams across GSPA to support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. She advises on graduate studies matters, including marketing and recruitment, communications, admissions, enrolment and academic records, theses and examinations, convocation, employment and funding, and University policies and procedures. 

Faculty leadership

GSPA partners closely with the six University of Waterloo faculties (Arts, Environment, Engineering, Health, Mathematics, Science) through the Associate Deans, Graduate Studies (ADGs). Together, the AVP, GSPA and the ADGs co-lead academic quality and student experience, align faculty-level operations with University policy, and shepherd proposals for governance approval. 

The ADG provides faculty-level academic leadership for graduate studies and helps ensure graduate academic and administrative responsibilities are carried out effectively across departments/schools. The ADG works closely with Graduate Officers, department/school leadership and GSPA to support graduate students, oversee key academic processes and promote consistency in graduate policies and practices. The ADG also chairs the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee and supports admissions, scholarships, program development and matters such as petitions, appeals and academic discipline.

Faculty administrative assistants support Associate Deans, Graduate Studies with the operations of graduate studies for their respective faculties.

View list of Faculty Administrators, Graduate Studies →

Program leadership

The Graduate Officer provides academic leadership for graduate studies in the department/school and helps ensure academic and administrative responsibilities are carried out effectively. The role supports graduate students throughout their programs by overseeing key processes, promoting quality supervision and helping students stay informed about academic, financial and safety requirements. 

The Graduate Officer chairs the unit’s Graduate Studies Committee, works with the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research on faculty-level graduate matters, and serves as an important link between the department/school, the faculty and graduate students. 

View list of Graduate Officers →

The Graduate Co-ordinator is the lead staff member supporting the administration of graduate studies within the department/school. Working closely with the Graduate Officer, this role supports the day-to-day delivery of graduate programs by coordinating admissions, student records, funding-related processes, academic milestones and degree completion requirements. The Graduate Co-ordinator is often a key contact for graduate students and applicants, helping them navigate program requirements, deadlines, policies and procedures, while also providing administrative support to faculty and departmental graduate studies processes. 

View list of Graduate Co-ordinators →