To the MSVU community,
I am pleased to share that the MSVU Board of Governors has voted in favour of re-appointing Dr. Joël Dickinson for a second five-year term as MSVU’s President and Vice-Chancellor.
Re-appointment process
The re-appointment evaluation was a rigorous four-month process led by an ad hoc Presidential Evaluation Committee under the guidance of MSVU Board of Governors Chair Patti Towler. Feedback was gathered through university-wide and targeted surveys engaging all faculty, staff, and students, as well as in-depth interviews with internal stakeholders and external partners, including alumni, donors, and partners.
A sincere thanks to all who shared their feedback, and to the Presidential Evaluation Committee and Board of Governors for their thoughtful review. Reappointing Joël for a second term ensures continuity of leadership at a pivotal time for the university. Her ongoing leadership will provide the stability needed to build on momentum and deliver on long-term priorities.
Term one highlights
This re-appointment reflects Joël’s strong record of achievement during her first term as President. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and community partners, she has helped advance several significant institutional priorities. Highlights include the expansion of MSVU’s academic offerings, notably the new Doctor of Psychology program (launching this fall) together with a new child and youth mental health training clinic set to open on campus next year. Under her leadership, the university also launched its first Strategic Enrolment Management Plan and announced the largest gift in its history: a $10 million legacy gift from the Honourable Margaret McCain to support early childhood education through learning, scholarship, and practice at MSVU.
Joël worked closely with government partners to secure funding for the redevelopment and significant expansion of the MSVU Child Study Centre as a leading centre for early childhood care, teaching and research; the new centre is set to open in 2027. She also helped establish a new partnership with Shannex, including a generous $500,000 gift to support the creation of the Shannex Centre for Workforce Wellbeing, featuring a new research chair, learning opportunities for students and emerging scholars, and research on innovative care practices and resident nutrition.
Joël’s strong alignment with MSVU’s mission, vision, and values has served us well; under her leadership EDIA has been woven even more deeply into the fabric of MSVU.
Over the past couple of years, the post-secondary sector has navigated a difficult landscape marked by fiscal pressures, Federal government changes to international student policy, changes in provincial policy, and labour disruptions. Maintaining a clear focus on long-term sustainability is paramount, and Joël remains steadfast in her commitment to seeing MSVU emerge from this challenging time stronger than ever.
Term two goals
In the next five years, Joël will guide MSVU forward with purpose. Priority areas include strengthening institutional culture, advancing long-term sustainability, and maintaining momentum on strategic institutional priorities. Key initiatives include implementing MSVU’s first Strategic Enrolment Management plan, strengthening partnerships with government and community partners, seeing our new Child Study Centre through to successful completion and a strong opening, and launching a new admissions portal to ensure the best possible student experience from their first interaction with MSVU.
With direction and oversight from the Board of Governors, Joël will also undertake a new strategic planning process starting in the fall of 2026, rooted in community consultation. This work will respond to the significant changes that have occurred since the current plan was developed, and help define the university’s future priorities.
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I extend my congratulations to Joël on her re-appointment and look forward to continuing to work with her to advance the mission of the university.
Patti Towler, BA, JD, LLM, CIC.C
Chair, Board of Governors
Mount Saint Vincent University