The Mount community welcomes Dr. Alexa McDonough as the interim president and vice-chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University. An advocate for peace and international development, Alexa joins us from an extensive 30-year background in political life.

She led the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Nova Scotia from 1980 to 1994 and was elected leader of the federal NDP in 1995. After stepping down eight years later, Alexa remained in office as Member of Parliament for Halifax until 2008. 

As the Mount’s interim president, Alexa will work closely with members of the senior administration team, supporting them in their efforts around overall management of the University. She will also lead the ongoing implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan, Destination 2012, and play an integral role in the Mount’s Capital Campaign, Building Tomorrow Together.

A passionate advocate for women in politics, Alexa was the first woman to lead a recognized political party in Canada. In 2006, she became the first woman to win four consecutive terms representing Nova Scotia in Parliament. In that election, she was the only woman elected among 32 Members of Parliament from Atlantic Canada.

Widely regarded as a determined and courageous voice for justice and equality, Alexa was instrumental in strengthening public education and health care, advancing pay equity and worker health and safety, and protecting human rights. After stepping down as federal NDP leader in 2003, she concentrated on foreign policy, international development and peace issues, including the elimination of nuclear weapons, the latter in her capacity as a global Co-President of Parliamentarians for Non Proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament.

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For more information contact:
Akiko Lovett
t. 457-6439
c. 441-0505