New VP position to focus on students

The University of Prince Edward Island announced the creation of a new position today: Vice-President Student Affairs. This role enhances relationships between the departments and areas that serve and support students, ensuring that a dedicated voice supporting positive student experience operates directly within the senior management team.

Dr. Wendy Carroll, currently Associate Professor in the School of Business and Faculty Director of the MBA program, has agreed to accept the position of Vice-President Student Affairs on an interim basis, commencing immediately, while a formal search process gets underway.

Students see the new role as a positive move and in keeping with the structure of most other Canadian universities. UPEI Student Union President Rob Livingstone said, 'It is very encouraging to see UPEI create this position-it clearly shows that senior administration understands that a quality experience for students contributes to the successful operation of the University. This is something we have been hoping for a long time now and we are glad to see it implemented.'

Reporting to the President and working collaboratively with the Vice-Presidents and Deans, this new Vice-President will lead a portfolio encompassing: the Registrar's Office, Athletics and Recreation, Student Services, and the Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning. Strategic planning in relation to improving the overall quality of the student experience throughout the entire student life cycle i.e. recruitment, retention through to graduation and beyond, will be the immediate priority.

The Office of the Vice-President Student Affairs will be located in Student Services in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.