THUNDER BAY – EDUCATION – Lakehead University Board of Governors Chair, David Tamblyn, has announced that current Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Moira McPherson, will become the University’s Interim President & Vice-Chancellor on January 1, 2018, and serve in that role until a new President is named.
Current President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson announced, in April 2017, that he would be stepping down at the end of 2017 after seven and a half years as the administrative head of Lakehead University.
Mr. Tamblyn explained that the Board of Governors considered various options for Lakehead’s Interim President.
“After discussions with Dr. McPherson,” he said, “the Board unanimously decided that she would be the ideal candidate to lead Lakehead as our Interim President until the work of the Presidential Search Committee is complete and Lakehead’s next President & Vice-Chancellor is appointed.”
“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am very pleased that Dr. McPherson accepted our invitation to fill this key role,” added Mr. Tamblyn. “During her ongoing and distinguished career at Lakehead, her passion for our University has been constant, particularly in her current role as Provost & Vice-President (Academic).”
Dr. McPherson said she looks forward to the challenges that await her as Interim President, adding that, “I have a deep respect for our senior executive team, faculty and staff, and I am confident that we will accomplish a lot, together, during this time of change at Lakehead.”
As Interim President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. McPherson will work with the University’s Board of Governors to oversee Lakehead’s various initiatives and operations through the presidential transition period.
The role of Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic) will be aptly filled by Lakehead University’s current Dean of Engineering, Dr. David Barnett, effective January 1, 2018.
Dr. Moira McPherson
Dr. McPherson began her career at Lakehead University in 1987 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. She holds a PhD specializing in Applied Biomechanics and is regularly sought out for her scholarly and professional expertise in applied kinematic and biomechanical skill analyses by both national and international organizations.
Following seven successful years as the Director of the School of Kinesiology, Dr. McPherson became the University’s Associate Vice-President (Academic), prior to being appointed as Deputy Provost in 2011. She has served as the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) since 2012.
Dr. McPherson led the development and implementation of the 2012-2017 Academic Plan, the University’s transition to the Institutional Quality Assurance process, and to a Strategic Enrolment Management Framework. She has led the development of the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreements, and established and continues to guide the implementation of the Integrated Planning and Budgeting Process.
Dr. McPherson served two terms on the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance, is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents.
