Joël Dickinson, dean of the faculty of arts at Laurentian University, has been appointed the president and vice-chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
She begins her new role July 1.
“MSVU is a special institution, unlike any other in the country, and I’m eager to ensure it remains a post-secondary destination of choice,” said Dickinson, in a press release.
“The opportunity to lead and exemplify all that makes MSVU unique is a privilege that I am delighted to have been afforded. I look forward to working alongside the exceptional students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, supporters and partners who make up the MSVU community.”
Dickinson has previously held the positions of acting associate vice-president of teaching and learning (2020-2021) at Laurentian, and chair of the university’s Department of Psychology.
Throughout her career, Dickinson has been focused on the impacts of decisions on students, as well as meaningful collaboration with faculty and staff colleagues.
She has held a leadership role with the Laurentian University Sexuality and Gender Diversity Committee, and was a long-standing member of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Status of Women.
She also served as an ex officio member of the Laurentian University Native Education Council, through which she has had the honour of learning from the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nations People.
Dickinson has previously taught at the University of New Brunswick and Mount Allison University. She holds a Psychology Honours, Bachelor of Arts, and PhD in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick.
“Dr. Dickinson demonstrates a strong commitment to the mission, vision and values of MSVU, and to our purpose of fostering the education of women and other engaged thinkers, while committing to social justice and to an equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible community,” said the statement issued by Amanda Dean, chair of the university’s board of governors.
“As president, she will lead us through our next chapter while ensuring our continued focus on that core purpose. She is excited by our strategic plan for its clarity of direction and ambition, and for its emphasis on putting people above all else.”
