Prince George, BC – A member of the University of Northern British Columbia community, who has taken on senior administration responsibilities during a time of transition, has been named the University’s Provost and Vice President Academic.

Dr. Dan Ryan, who has served as the University’s interim Provost and Vice President Academic since September 2015, will officially take up the role on Sept 1. Dr. Ryan has played a key leadership role in developing the University’s new integrated planning processes and in the recent academic planning process, informed by tremendous engagement and input from students, faculty, staff, and the broader University community.

“Dr. Ryan has done a great deal to help our University embark on a new path, one that is strategically oriented towards our Mission, Vision and Values and one that is centred on providing outstanding post-secondary education and research in an ever-changing environment,” says UNBC President Daniel Weeks. “I am committed to keeping the momentum going, particularly in key areas such as student recruitment and academic and budget planning, and look forward to our community’s continued support.”

Dr. Ryan earned an undergraduate degree in Biology, and Master and Doctoral degrees in Applied Statistics, all from the University of Guelph. Prior to his role as interim Provost, Ryan served as Dean of UNBC’s College of Science and Management, and as Dean of the College of Science at the University of the Fraser Valley. He has also held professorial roles at the University of Prince Edward Island and Acadia University, and research positions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

“I share the enthusiasm and commitment to excellence in teaching and research that our faculty and staff bring to the institution and I am looking forward to working with the UNBC community to ensure its strong future,” says Dr. Ryan. “It’s the shared commitment to a common goal that will provide lasting benefits for our students, employees and the region we serve.”

“UNBC is at a key point in its history. Not only must we continue to live up to our original mandate of being in the North for the North; we must continue to have an impact in provincial, national, and international arenas,” adds UNBC Board Chair Tracey Wolsey. “As a member of the search committee, I was pleased with the pool of applicants who demonstrated an interest in working at UNBC, and congratulate Dr. Ryan on emerging from that pool as the successful candidate.”

The Provost and Vice President Academic leads comprehensive strategic planning and works to ensure the implementation of academic priorities at UNBC. The Office of the Provost collaborates with governance, academic, administrative, research, finance and other service areas of the University to ensure UNBC delivers excellence in academic programs and research initiatives.

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