After a substantial amount of consideration and reflection, I have decided to step down as Vice-President, Academic and Provost effective June 30, 2025.
My family and I have determined that next summer will be the right time for me to step aside from the duties as Provost. This change will allow me to shift more of my time and attention to important personal demands related to, among other considerations, emerging “sandwich generation” family opportunities.
This will mark a break from 18 years of continuous academic leadership service, including seven as Provost, during my 25 years here at Waterloo.
When I began at Waterloo, I never expected to dedicate so much of my career to leadership, but it has been a very fulfilling path. Indeed, I consider it to be the highest honour of my professional career to have been selected as the University’s Vice-President, Academic and Provost in 2018, to have been re-appointed in 2022, and to have served in this capacity for what will be seven years.
During most of the period I have served as Provost, the University has faced challenging times and operational pressures that have meant we need to transform the way we work. These conditions have challenged us to rethink our organizational structure, our operations, and our strategy and vision. We have risen to the challenges, and I remain optimistic and confident in the bright future of the University of Waterloo, its students, graduates, faculty and staff.
Although I will step down as Provost next June, I am not leaving the University. After a period of administrative leave, I will return to my professorial duties in the Faculty of Health.
In my remaining time as Provost, I will continue to be focused on foundational priorities to support the evolution of the University and its future success. These include integrated planning and budgeting, improving coordination across portfolios, and championing the development of a comprehensive Strategic Enrolment Management framework.
Thank you for your support over the years.