Mount Saint Vincent University is governed using a bi-cameral governance structure consisting of the Board of Governors and the Senate. The Board of Governors is charged with governance, conduct, management and control of the University; the Senate is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

As stipulated by MSVU’s University Charter, the Board of Governors consists of the Chancellor, President, Vice-President Academics, Vice-President Administration, and members representing the Sisters of Charity, government, faculty, students, alumnae, and the external community.

Board members selected by and from their specific constituency are appointed to the Board for a term specified by their constituency. Members from the Community at Large are appointed to the Board of Governors, through the Nominating and Governance Committee, for a three-year term. Community at Large members may be reappointed for an additional three-year term with the approval of the Board of Governors.

The Board Bylaws, developed in conjunction with the University Charter, provide the framework in which the Board of Governors works to help ensure the viability of the University. The Board governs, conducts, and manages the University and its property, revenues, expenditures, business and affairs; these are among the Board’s commitment as Governors and key responsibilities to the University.

Board of Governors Membership 2026-2027

Chair, Board of Governors
Patricia (Patti) Towler, President and CEO, Chartered Professional Accountants of Nova Scotia

Vice-Chair, Board of Governors
Claudette Porter, Vice-President of Technology Investment and Governance, Emera

Ex-Officio Members Appointed to the Board of Governors
Dr. Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor, MSVU
Dr. Lori Francis, Vice-President Academic and Provost, MSVU
Isabelle Nault, Vice-President Administration, MSVU

Governors Appointed by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity
S. Nuala Kenny
S. Sheilagh Martin, Professor Emerita, MSVU
Rosemarie Sampson, Retired Faculty Member and Academic Dean, MSVU
S. Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick, Congregational Leader, Sisters of Charity

Governors Appointed by the Governor in Council
Jean Flynn, Executive Director, Corporate and Strategic Services, Department of Cyber Security & Digital Solutions, Government of Nova Scotia

Governors Selected by and from the Alumnae
Craig Ennis, Senior Advisor, Government of Canada
Captain Penelope (Penny) Henneberry, Infrastructure Officer, Regional Cadet Support Unit (Atlantic)
Heather Strickey, Executive Director, Strategic Growth, King’s-Edgehill School and President of the MSVU Alumni Association

Governors Selected by and from the Faculty
Dr. Conor Barker, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, MSVU and President of the MSVU Faculty Association
Dr. Nathaniel Street, Associate Professor, Department of English and Coordinator of the Writing Program, MSVU
Dr. Derek Fisher, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, MSVU

Governors Selected by and from the Students
Mika Paul, Applied Human Nutrition Student and President of MSVU Students’ Union
Vanessa Sarkis, Political Studies Student and Students’ Representative Council, MSVU Students’ Union
Tanner Saunders, Business Administration Student and Vice-President of Student Life, MSVU Students’ Union

Governors Selected by the Board from the Community at Large
Jennifer Best-White, Vice-President of Finance, Micco Group of Companies
Michelle Clare, Regional Vice-President for Metro Halifax, Royal Bank of Canada
Andrea Coish, Managing Partner, KPMG
Derrick Dempster, Partner, Deloitte
Ifeanyi Emesih, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MECE Media Group Inc.
Helen Hayward, Director of Finance and Operations, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Karen Hudson, Former Deputy Minister Justice, Province of Nova Scotia and Former Head of NS Legal Aid Commission
Kimberly MacLachlan, Lawyer, Stewart McKelvey
Melanie McGrath, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, CBCL Limited
Tracey Newman, Vice-President of Prevention and Employer Engagement, Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Hon. Kelly Regan, Former NS Legislative Assembly, former Deputy Premier and Cabinet Minister, Province of Nova Scotia
Vicki Robertson, Director of Revenue and Treasurer, Halifax Regional Municipality
Nicola Watson, Partner, Cox & Palmer

Updated: October 29, 2026

Board of Governors' 2026-2027 Meetings (Agendas and Outcomes)

Meeting agendas are developed using a macro agenda approach; the macro agenda outlines the workload of the Board for the full year, evenly distributed over the Board meetings for the year (see dates listed below):

Note:  If you have any questions regarding any of the meeting agendas or meeting outcomes below, please don’t hesitate to contact the Board Governance Secretary, or the Chair of the Board of Governors, Patti Towler.

The minutes of each Board meeting are maintained by the Board Governance Secretary. Meetings for 2026/2027 are scheduled for:

December 3, 2026
March 4, 2027
May 6, 2027
June 24, 2027 (Annual General Meeting)

Board of Governors' Meetings (2015-2026)

At its February 26, 2015 meeting, the Board of Governors approved a motion that on a go forward basis, it would post the master meeting agenda and synopsis of outcomes from each Board meeting on the external website. The Master agendas and outcomes of Board meetings for 2015-2025 (beginning with the February 2015 meeting) can be found via the links below.

2025-2026

October 16, 2025 Master Agenda & October 16, 2025 Board Meeting Outcomes
December 18, 2025 Master Agenda & December 18, 2025 – Board Meeting Outcomes
March 5, 2026 Master Agenda & March 5, 2026 Meeting Outcomes
April 30, 2026 Master Agenda & April 30, 2026 Meeting Outcomes
June 25, 2026 Master Agenda & June 25, 2026 Meeting Outcomes

2024-2025

October 10, 2024 Master Agenda & October 10, 2024 Meeting Outcomes
December 5, 2024 Master Agenda & December 5, 2024 Meeting Outcomes
March 6, 2025 Master Agenda & March 6, 2025 Board Meeting Outcomes
May 8, 2025 Master Agenda & May 8, 2025 Board Meeting Outcomes
June 24, 2025 Master Agenda & June 24, 2025 Board Meeting Outcomes

2023-2024
October 5, 2023 Master Agenda & October 3, 2023 Meeting Outcomes
November 30, 2023 Master Agenda & November 30, 2023 Meeting Outcomes
March 7, 2024 – Master Agenda (Cancelled)
May 2, 2024 Master Agenda & May 2, 2024 Meeting Outcomes
June 25, 2024 Master Agenda & June 25, 2024 Meeting Outcomes

2022-2023
October 6, 2022 Master Agenda & October 6, 2022 Meeting Outcomes
December 1, 2022 Master Agenda & December 1, 2022 Meeting Outcomes
March 9, 2023 Master Agenda & March 9, 2023 Meeting Outcomes
April 20, 2023 Master Agenda & April 20, 2023 Meeting Outcomes
June 27, 2023 Master Agenda & June 27, 2023 Meeting Outcomes

2021-2022
October 17, 2021 Master Agenda & October 17, 2021 Meeting Outcomes
December 2, 2021 Master Agenda & December 2, 2021 Meeting Outcomes
March 10, 2022 Master Agenda & March 10, 2022 Meeting Outcomes
April 21, 2022 Master Agenda & April 21, 2022 Meeting Outcomes
June 23, 2022 Master Agenda & June 23, 2022 Meeting Outcomes

2020-2021
September 24, 2020 Master Agenda & September 24, 2020 Meeting Outcomes
November 26, 2020 Master Agenda & November 26, 2020 Meeting Outcomes
February 25, 2021 Master Agenda & February 25, 2021 Meeting Outcomes
April 29, 2021 Master Agenda & April 29, 2021 Meeting Outcomes
June 24, 2021 Master Agenda & June 24, 2021 Meeting Outcomes

2019 – 2020 
October 9, 2019 Master Agenda & October 9, 2019 Meeting Outcomes
November 27, 2019 Master Agenda & November 27, 2019 Meeting Outcomes
February 27, 2020 Master Agenda & February 27, 2020 Meeting Outcomes
April 23, 2020 Master Agenda & April 23, 2020 Meeting Outcomes
June 25, 2020 Master Agenda  & June 25, 2020 Meeting Outcomes
July 31, 2020 Master Agenda & July 31, 2020 Meeting Outcomes

2018 – 2019
September 27, 2018 Master Agenda & September 27, 2018 Meeting Outcomes
November 29, 2018 Master Agenda & November 29, 2018 Meeting Outcomes
February 28, 2019 Master Agenda & February 28, 2019 Meeting Outcomes
April 25, 2019 Master Agenda & April 25, 2019 Meeting Outcomes
June 20, 2019 Master Agenda & June 20, 2019 Meeting Outcomes

2017 – 2018
September 28, 2017 Master Agenda & September 28, 2017 Meeting Outcomes
November 23, 2017 Master Agenda & November 23, 2017 Meeting Outcomes
March 1, 2018 Master Agenda & March 1, 2018 Meeting Outcomes
April 18, 2018 Master Agenda & April 18, 2018 Meeting Outcomes
June 21, 2018 Master Agenda & June 21, 2018 Meeting Outcomes

2016 – 2017
September 29, 2016 Master Agenda & September 29, 2016 Meeting Outcomes
November 24, 2016 Master Agenda & November 24, 2016 Meeting Outcomes
March 2, 2017 Master Agenda & March 2, 2017 Meeting Outcomes
April 19, 2017 Master Agenda & April 19, 2017 Meeting Outcomes
June 22, 2017 Master Agenda & June 22, 2017 Meeting Outcomes

2015 – 2016 
September 24, 2015 Master Agenda & September 24, 2015 Meeting Outcomes
November 19, 2015 Master Agenda & November 19, 2015 Meeting Outcomes
February 25, 2016 Master Agenda & February 25, 2016 Meeting Outcomes
April 21, 2016 Master Agenda & April 21, 2016 Meeting Outcomes
June 28, 2016 Master Agenda & June 28, 2016 Meeting Outcomes

2014 – 2015
February 26, 2015 Master Agenda & February 26, 2015 Meeting Outcomes
April 16, 2015 Master Agenda & April 16, 2015 Meeting Outcomes
June 25, 2015 Master Agenda & June 25, 2015 Meeting Outcomes

Updated:  August 4, 2026

Interested in Joining the MSVU Board of Governors?

Are you interested in getting involved with MSVU’s Board of Governors? There are two ways to make an impact:

Board of Governors Members
Board members play a vital role in MSVU’s governance, participating in Board meetings and contributing strategic insight through service on various Board committees.

External Committee Members
External Committee members are not Board members, but they are essential partners in the University’s governance. They bring specialized knowledge and professional expertise to Board committees that meet regularly and report directly to the Board of Governors.

Learn More or Apply
To express interest or request additional information, please contact the Board Governance Secretary

On the Board Nominations page you will find information about expectations, time commitments, length of Board Member terms, and details on how to apply for consideration for a Community at Large position on the Board.