Along with being Canada’s official birthday, July 1 is also the date that academic appointments typically begin on university campuses. This year at Queen’s, the day marked the start of several new appointments to the university’s executive leadership team.

Following announcements earlier this year, two new leaders are joining Queen’s, while two familiar and experienced leaders at the university are moving into new roles.

Tom Harris, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), recently completed eight and a half years as vice-principal (Advancement). He succeeds Benoit-Antoine Bacon, now president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University. Dr. Harris will oversee the progress of the university’s strategic priorities, including enhancing indigeneity, diversity and inclusion on campus, supporting the hiring of 200 new faculty over five years as part of faculty renewal, implementing our internationalization strategy, promoting research and innovation, and completing  Mitchell Hall – the Innovation and Wellness Centre. Dr. Harris is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Kimberly Woodhouse, Interim Vice-Principal (Research), brings with her a decade of deanship and experience in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science as a professor to her new role. She is also a professional engineer, has extensive experience in the private sector, as well as with the Canadian granting councils. Succeeding John Fisher, Dr. Woodhouse will provide leadership to the broader research portfolio and clarify the growing relationship between research and innovation at Queen’s and the resources required to support it.

Karen Bertrand, Vice-Principal (Advancement), brings her successful track record as associate vice-president, major gift advancement, from the University of Guelph. Succeeding Dr. Harris in the role, she will continue the close relationship between Queen’s and alumni, donors, and friends to ensure that the university remains a premier destination for students and faculty, both across Canada and internationally.

Fahim Quadir, Vice-Provost and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, begins his five-year term fresh from York University, where he worked as the interim dean and associate vice-president in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and as a professor of Development Studies and Social Science. Dr. Quadir will provide strategic direction, academic planning leadership, and administrative oversight to the School of Graduates Studies to achieve the highest possible standards in graduate education and research.

“On behalf of the Queen’s community, I’d like to welcome each new member to the executive team, and Dr. Harris to his new role. I’m looking forward to the work we will be doing together to achieve the university’s top strategic priorities and build on the significant momentum already underway,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “Good things are happening at Queen’s. Our enrollment numbers are impressive, we have the highest undergraduate graduation rate in the country, our faculty renewal initiative is in full swing, we have renewed energy and enthusiasm around research and innovation, we are delivering financially sustainable budgets each year, and we have record-breaking donor support through the recent 10-year Initiatives Campaign.”  

For more information on the overall leadership team, visit the Queen’s administration and governance web page.