CBU Administrative Changes

To the University Community,

This November, Dr. Richard MacKinnon will step down from his role as Vice-President Academic (Provost).  During his term, Dr. MacKinnon has achieved many accomplishments and is credited with bringing the study of folklore to life at CBU, building bridges with historians and folklorists, and paving the path for CBU’s folklore undergraduate major program. Over the years, Dr. MacKinnon has taught courses in humanities, community studies, heritage, history and folklore and, in 2005, was named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Intangible Cultural Heritage. From countless published works on song and music performance to speaking at conferences around the world, Dr. MacKinnon is recognized as a respected expert in the field of folklore studies and, in 2023, was awarded the prestigious Marius Barbeau Medal for a lifetime of service to the study of folklore in Canada. At this time, I would like to thank Richard for his exceptional work and wish him well as he looks forward to resuming various research projects during an administrative leave.

The next few years will be an exciting but challenging time of transition. In addition to transforming the university’s physical environment, for example, the Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) Plan must become deeply rooted in all our decision-making and consultation must begin on the process of renewing our institutional Strategic Plan. To help maintain continuity and stability during this time, the following administrative changes will be implemented.

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Rod Nicholls will take on the term role of Interim Vice-President Academic (Provost). During this time, CBU will engage with an executive search firm to secure a full-time Vice-President Academic (Provost). Dr. Nicholls has many years of experience as a faculty member, held a number of administrative positions (including Department Chair, School Dean, and Academic Director of the Centre for Teaching & Learning), and served multiple terms on Senate and the former Academic Council. Dr. Nicholls will retain his position with the Centre for Teaching & Learning supported by Terry MacDonald who will take on additional responsibilities as Assistant Director.

Dr. Andy Parnaby will retain his position as the Dean of Arts & Social Sciences, which he has held since 2018, and will take on additional responsibilities by assuming the term role as CBU’s Vice-Provost. In this capacity, Dr. Parnaby will have special responsibility for continued implementation of the Academic Plan, facilitating (new and existing) program development, and participating in the process of Indigenizing the CBUFA-CBU Collective Agreement to which both parties are strongly committed. To ensure continuity and leadership within SASS, Dr. Chris McDonald, Associate Dean, has agreed to serve for an additional term in this role, with added responsibility for quality assurance reviews of the BA and BACS degrees.

Dr. Adango Miadonye will become Special Advisor to the President on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. This term position will advise and assist with the implementation of year-one action items in CBU’s EDI Action Plan and is crucial in providing opportunities to strengthen our work and commitment to EDI. As part of this term, Dr. Miadonye will chair the working group to develop guidelines and best practices for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonizing/Indigenizing. Dr. Miadonye’s leadership, both as a valued faculty member and union leader, will allow him to proactively work with various stakeholders ensuring all voices are heard on this very important topic.

I hope you will join me in offering support to these long-serving CBU employees in their new and expanded roles.

Yours very truly,

David C. Dingwall

President and Vice-Chancellor