Call for External Governor Nominations

United College at the University of Waterloo invites nominations and recommendations of individuals who might be considered for community-at-large appointments. There is particular interest in recruiting individuals who possess the skills and experience outlined below.

Founded in 1962, United College is one of four academic institutions affiliated or federated with the University of Waterloo (UW). Like the other three, our College was created under the sponsorship of a church – in our case, the United Church of Canada. In 2005, however, the Church and the College agreed to a friendly separation.  Although we are no longer legally connected to the United Church, the mission and values of our College reflect its emphasis on social responsibility, social justice and good citizenship. 

United College contributes to the University of Waterloo by offering academic programming reflective of our mission and values; by providing an enriched living environment for both graduate and undergraduate students; and by hosting unique co-curricular programming for the University of Waterloo students such as GreenHouse, FlintHub and the Student Refugee Program. 

The College is committed to removing any and all discriminatory attitudes or practices that might impede equal opportunity.

The College further recognizes that members of certain groups have been historically subject to discrimination in our society and continue to face barriers to equitable opportunity. The College is therefore committed to the principle of equity in applications for marginalized groups.

Thirteen of nineteen members are appointed by the Board from the community-at-large. These appointments are volunteer positions. Members are appointed on recommendation of the Governance Committee.

When recommending members for appointment, the Governance Committee considers a range of factors, including institutional vision, values and priorities, and succession planning considerations based on the Board’s skills, experience and diversity.

Community-at-large members are selected from a wide range of professional fields and industries to provide a balanced and nuanced approach to governance decisions. Below are the specific fields of interest:

Accounting/Auditing

Technical expertise in financial reporting, auditing requirements, implementation of compliance-based audit recommendations, and internal controls for private, public, or not-for-profit organizations. (Accounting designation/CFO experience is an asset).

Education (Post-Secondary)

Experience in one or more of the following:

• Comprehensive knowledge of provincial, national, and international post-secondary education systems and/or university operations
• Leading professional or academic research
• Integrating knowledge and approaches from multiple disciplines in an academic context
• Experience in a leadership role or providing professional advice with respect to the digital economy, including virtual education and collaboration
• Experience in a leadership role or providing professional advice with respect to student experience

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Lived experience and/or expertise in a leadership role or providing professional advice with respect to equity, diversity, and inclusion approaches, practices, and initiatives.

Governance

Broad knowledge and understanding of best practices for non-profit and/or corporate governance. Board experience; understanding of board duties/responsibilities and leading governance practices through experience as an executive and/or director of a complex organization.

Indigenization

Lived experience and/or expertise in a leadership role or providing professional advice with respect to indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation approaches, practices, and initiatives.

Investment

Technical expertise in investment principles and strategies, and direct experience with managing multi-million dollar investment portfolios, including investment management policies and pension plan design and management.

Legal/Regulatory/Compliance

Broad legal experience (private practice or in-house) with sound understanding of compliance and/or regulatory law.

Risk Management

Experience in a leadership role or providing professional advice with respect to enterprise risk management, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies.  

• Desire to serve, willingness and ability to commit the time and effort required as a member of the Board of Governors (the Board meets 4 times annually and members are also assigned at least one standing committee based on skills and experience) 

• Personal values alignment with the United College vision and values 

• Additional assets include: graduate of the University of Waterloo, or other affiliation; United College alumni; past experience as a board committee chair and willingness to serve in this capacity; formal governance training or other sophisticated governance experience; access to a network that includes potential new major donors, and willingness to assist the College’s fundraising efforts by engaging that network. 

All members of the Board must have financial literacy, regardless of professional field