Administration

Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

ADMINISTRATION:
 

Martin Ferguson-Pell [bio]
Acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Carl G. Amrhein [bio]
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

  • Chief Operating Officer of the University of Alberta
  • Academic leadership and overall institutional planning
  • Together with the Vice-President (Research), oversees the implementation of the University's Academic Plan, Dare to Deliver
  • Faculty recruitment and retention strategies
  • Student recruitment and funding issues; includes undergraduate and graduate students; national and international students
  • University budget
  • Quality of student experience
  • Learning environment
  • Oversees the implementation of the University's International Initiative and Aboriginal Initiatives
  • Government policy
  • Coordinated academic and administrative policy development

 

Colleen Skidmore [bio] [homepage]
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic)

  • Works with Portfolios, Faculties, and Administrative Units in ensuring they have financial and capital resources required to be successful in their academic programming 
  • Provides direction and supervision to the Director, Academic Budget and Planning in the provision of high-level financial advice, analysis, and guidance to the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) as well as to Faculties and departments within the portfolio 
  • Leads key strategic initiatives with organizational-wide impact 
  • Provides advice and recommendations to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) on academic issues affecting the University Provides direction and consultation on general academic human resource related issues, particularly issues requiring strategic resource allocation 
  • Fosters and maintains relationships with key areas of the Alberta Government, acts as liaison related to enrolment and planning with Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, Alberta Health and Wellness, and Alberta Health Services 
  • Contributes to the effective operation of areas reporting into the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) 
  • Direct report for the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) 
  • Liaison with Vice-President (Research) on Campus Alberta Innovates Program (CAIP), Canada Research Chair (CRC) and Canada Excellent Research Chairs (CERC) nominations 
  • Serves as Acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic) in the absence of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) 
  • Provost’s Office lead on Comprehensive Institutional Plan 
  • Lead, Academic and Administrative Unit Reviews, also chairs Unit Review Coordinating Committee 
  • Co-chair, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy Oversight Committee 
  • Attendance at Board of Governors Committee meetings, including Board Finance and Properties Committee, Board Learning and Discovery Committee, Board Audit Committee, and Board Human Resources and Compensation Committee 
  • Provost’s delegate, GFC Executive 
  • Chair, GFC Facilities Development Committee and Co-chair, Learning Spaces sub-committee 
  • Chair, Provost’s Advisory Committee of Deans 
  • Co-chair, Festival of Teaching Steering 
  • Member, Executive Planning Committee 
  • Member, Budget Advisory Committee and Tuition Task Force 
  • Member, President’s Advisory Committee for Senior Academic Appointments 
  • Primary academic resource for President’s Review Committee 
  • Provost’s delegate, President’s Advisory Committee of Chairs
  • Member, Campus Planning Working Group 
  • Member, Negotiating Oversight Committee 
  • Member, Records Management Oversight Committee 
  • Member, University of Alberta/Stantec Partnering Advisory Committee
  • Deputy Crisis Leader, Crisis Management Team 
  • Member, Deputy Ministers/Stakeholders Committee on Academic Medicine, Provincial Academic ARP – Partner Working Committee 
  • Member, Enterprise Risk Management Committee 
  • Member, International Coordinating Committee, including US Regional Council
  • Member, Vice-Provost Council, Provost International, Deans Council, Alberta Universities Association, Quality Network for Universities

 

Britta Baron [bio]
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (International)

  • Oversees all aspects of the University's International activities
  • Advocate for the inclusion of an international dimension to all the University’s research, teaching and community service activities
  • Enhances the University of Alberta’s profile within the international community
  • Builds effective relationships with local, provincial and federal governments as well as foreign universities and government agencies to further promote and advance the University of Alberta’s international activities
  • Provides advice and information to the President, the Provost, Vice-Presidents and Deans on international issues
  • Member of Provost's Management Team

 

Chris Cheeseman
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Human Resource Services)

  • Provides co-ordination and coherent vision to the Human Resource Services (HRS) area, as well as promotes innovation and the exploration of new initiatives.
  • Oversees the preparation, management and monitoring of the planning and budgeting processes within the HRS portfolio.
  • Ensures appropriate financial, human resource and administrative systems, policies, processes  and procedures within the HRS portfolio.
  • Proactively manages risk in all facets of his/her dealings on behalf of the institution.
  • Creates and delivers exemplary human resource services, processes and outcomes.
  • Ensures critical resources issues are identified and addressed.
  • Promotes and enhances the effectiveness and well-being of staff members as a shared responsibility of the organization and its people.
  • Creates and supports a positive, safe and productive work and learning environment.
  • Provides strategic and operational human resource advice on a wide range of issues and questions to senior administration.
  • As a member of the Provost's management team, participates actively on committees and projects relating to the areas of mandated responsibility. Represents the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at internal and external functions.

 

Bill Connor
Vice-Provost (Academic Programs and Instruction)

  • Responsible for governance processes of review and approval of new and changed academic programs, including leadership of GFC committees associated with the process, the provision of guidance and advice to all involved in program proposals, and as liaison with Alberta Advanced Education and Technology (AET) and Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW) on such matters 
  • Academic Programming Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) 
  • Quality/Evaluation of Teaching, including USRIs and Academic Plan commitments 
  • Serves as U of A representative on the Alberta Council for Admissions and Transfers (ACAT) 
  • Provides leadership on teaching and learning matters and initiatives, including providing professional development resources and fostering innovations and best practices in teaching; oversees the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF), and McCalla Professorships 
  • Works with other Vice-Provosts in areas of special responsibility where these touch on teaching and learning, including the integration of technology (with the Vice-Provost IT), student engagement (Dean of Students), international developments in post-secondary education (Vice-Provost International), admissions, transfer, calendar, and related matters (Registrar), and budgets for new programs (Vice-Provost and AVP Academic), as well as with the Vice-Presidents (Academic) of the Students’ Union and Graduate Students’ Association 
  • Chair, GFC Academic Standards Committee (ASC), GFC ASC Sub-committee on Standards (SOS), Committee on the Learning Environment (CLE) 
  • Co-chair, Teaching, Learning and Technology Advisory Council (TLAT) 
  • Provost’s Office Lead, Community Engaged Scholarship 
  • Lead, Teaching Recognition Awards 
  • Lead, bridging/foundation year program 
  • Liaison with Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI) 
  • Member, GFC Academic Planning Committee 
  • Member, Academic Policy and Procedures Review Task Force 
  • Member, Welcome Centre Project Advisory Committee 
  • Member, Campus Alberta Grant for International Learning (CAGFIL) U of A selection committee 
  • Lead, Green and Gold Student Leadership and Professional Development Travel Grant (with CAPS) 
  • Chair, Celebrate! Teaching-Learning-Research Steering Committee 
  • Member, Vice-Provost Council, Provost International, Deans Council, Alberta Universities Association 
  • Member, NSSE, and Certificate Oversight Committee 
     

 Jane Drummond [bio]
Vice-Provost (Health Sciences)

  • Provides academic leadership, strategic direction, administrative management and facilitation of partnerships for the scholarly pursuits undertaken by the Health Sciences Council (HSC). Emphasis of the current academic plan for HSC include: 

  • Champion and develop innovative interdisciplinary health learning and team practice through the Interprofessional Initiative and Standardized Patient Program
  • Develop strategic interdisciplinary research teams in areas of need (e.g., primary health care)
  • Support established interdisciplinary research centres (John Dossitor Health Ethics Centre, Community University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth and Families, Alberta Centre on Aging, Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition, Primary Health Care Research Initiative)
  • Develop the Health Sciences Education and Research Commons (HSERC) where traditional, complementary, supplementary and technology rich health sciences teaching environments will be developed and evaluated
  • Use the opportunity provided by the vision of the Edmonton Clinic North to transform the HSC into an integrating entity for the health sciences at the University of Alberta and their partners
  • Works closely with the Directors of each of the HSC units to identify, develop, sustain and evaluate the interprofessional and interdisciplinary scholarship initiatives of HSC
  • Creates and fosters linkages between HSC faculties, public, government and private sector health care delivery agencies within Canada and abroad
  • Provides advice and information to the President, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Vice-Presidents and Deans on health sciences related issues
  • Member of Provost's management team
  • Participates actively on committees related to the areas of mandated responsibilities

 

Murray Gray [bio]
Vice-Provost (Academic) and Associate Vice-President (Research)

  • Liaison with Vice-Provost (Research) as member of the President’s Advisory Council on Senior Administrative Appointments, and member of the adjudication committee for Campus Alberta Innovation Program (CAIP) Chairs, CRC nominations, Killam Cornerstone and Killam Operating/Travel funds 
  • Co-chair, Northern Council 
  • Provost’s Designate, Alberta Institute for American Studies 
  • Member, Alberta Diabetes Institute Advisory Board 
  • Member, Undergraduate Research Initiative Advisory Committee 
  • Member, World Universities Network (WUN) 
  • Chair, Centres and Institutes Committee 
  • Member, Provost’s Advisory Committee of Deans 
  • Chair, Ceremonies, Awards, and Recognition Committee (CARS), including University Cup and Distinguished University Professor 
  • Member, Unit Review Coordinating Committee 
  • Provost’s Office liaison, Accreditation of Professional Faculties 
  • Lead, Provost Fellows 
  • Member, Academic Policy and Procedures Review Task Force 
  • Lead, New Deans Orientation 
  • Appoints Provost representatives for Chair Selection Committees 
  • Lead, Provost’s Dinners 
  • Member, Human Rights Lecture Selection Committee 
  • Member, International Coordinating Committee 
  • Lead, Brazil and Mexico Regional Councils 
  • Chair, Standing Advisory Council on International Engagement (SACIE) and SACIE Executive 
  • Member, Vice-Provost Council, Provost International, Deans Council, Alberta Universities Association 
  • Member, Campus Alberta Administration Group

 

Ernie Ingles [bio]
Vice-Provost and Interim Director, School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS)

 

Gerry Kendal [bio]
Vice-Provost and University Registrar

  • Provides leadership to the Office of the Registrar and Student Awards
  • Lead in the enrolment management process, ensuring the University meets planned enrolment targets and student retention rates
  • Provides advice on academic and operational related issues to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
  • Represents the University of Alberta locally, nationally, and internationally
  • Works with areas responsible for recruitment to promote the University of Alberta and its programs
  • Plays a key role in the development of the University's Academic Plan and the University's Business Plan
  • Member of Provost's Management Team
  • Member of GFC, GFC Exec, APC, Tuition Task Force, Budget Advisory Committee
  • Member of Crisis Management Team, Deans Council, Executive Change Advisory Board, Information Technology Committee
  • Member of ICC, SACIE, SACIE Exec
  • Member of Council on Student Affairs
  • Coordinates with the Chancellor all Convocation ceremonies

 

Frank Robinson [bio]
Vice-Provost and Dean of Students

  • Enhancing the student environment
  • Student issues and liaison
  • Student services
  • Residence life
  • Deans' liaison – student matters
  • Student discipline
  • Aboriginal issues
  • Student orientation
  • Member of Provost's Management Team

 

Duane Szafron
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Information Technology)

 

  • Overall responsibility for information technology planning in support of the University's academic plan, particularly relating to teaching and learning, research and administration
  • Overall responsibility for administrative information systems (AIS), which includes numerous student services
  • Leadership in the development of information technology policies and procedures
  • Ensure effectiveness of central information and communications technology (ICT) systems and services on campus
  • Understand key ICT issues facing the University and articulate them internally and externally
  • Long-range planning in the ICT area
  • Participate and, where appropriate, take leadership in the development of corporate and government relations in the area of ICT for the University
  • Chair of the Information Technology Committee (ITC), the key University committee for reviewing and making recommendations on ICT plans and policy
  • Co-chair of the Teaching and Learning with Technology Committee and member of the Committee on the Learning Environment


 

Mazi Shirvani
Vice-Provost and Dean, Graduate Studies

 

 

 

 

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND VICE-PRESIDENT (ACADEMIC)

 

Tammy Akers 
Executive Assistant

  • Administrative and scheduling support for the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic) 
  • Coordinates and supports activities of various committees



Kally Basra
Administrative Assistant

  • Provides comprehensive administrative support to the Chancellor Emeritus and Special Advisor to the Provost in his various roles internal and external to the university
  • Provides support for the ‘Senior Advisor to the Provost
  • Liaises with the Office Coordinator
  • Part-time position


 

Tracy Bear
Special Advisor to the Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives 

  • Provide leadership, expertise, professional and cultural guidance and advice to the University of Alberta community in Aboriginal matters.
  • Support and impel forward the agenda and project initiatives as outlined by the Council on Aboriginal Initiatives.
  • Organize and direct committees and working groups engaged in Aboriginal initiatives to plan, manage projects and programs.
  • Contribute to the University’s strategic direction, plans and objectives by identifying opportunities to engage and build relationships within Aboriginal communities.
  • Liaise and coordinate with other University units and external groups and organizations related to Aboriginal initiatives.
  • Represent the University at internal and/or external meetings with an Aboriginal focus.
  • Attend provincial, federal and international conferences to keep abreast of new trends and changes and find solutions to common challenges related to Aboriginal programming, student enrolment, retention and graduation rates.

 

 

Bobbi Schiestel
Kathleen Brough (maternity leave) 
Portfolio Initiatives Manager 

  • UAPPOL Project Coordinator for the academic portfolio
  • Supports and coordinates the academic program approval process
  • Initiatives development and support
  • Portfolio committee resource and administrative support
  • Special projects, communications and assignments

 

Theresa Curry
Financial Officer

  • Responsible of detailed financial administration and reporting of accounts directly controlled by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
  • Project Coordinator for the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund
  • University resource and financial administrator for the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund, McCalla Professorships, Tory Chairs, and Vargo Chairs
  • Acts as internal control for financial transactions
  • Responsible for signing delegation and over-expenditure reports

  

Edith Finczak
Director, Academic Budget and Planning 

  • In support of the Academic portfolio and University priorities, designing, developing and managing systems and processes for sound financial planning, budgeting, financial and enrolment analysis and evaluation accounting, financial and performance reporting. 
  • Working in partnership with Resource Planning, in setting the direction for the University’s planning and budgeting processes. 
  • Playing a key leadership role in representing the interests of the academic portfolio in university-wide processes. 
  • Providing recommendations concerning the distribution of resources and providing leadership and co-ordination to ensure the optimal deployment and use of the Academic portfolio resources 
  • Providing timely and responsive support to Faculties and Administrative Units. 
  • Working closely with the Vice-Provosts to manage the University’s participation in any Enrolment Funded Programs. 
  • Playing an integral role in the University’s strategic planning and integrated budgeting processes.

 

Suzanne French
Executive Assistant

  • Administrative and scheduling support for the Vice-Provost (Academic Programs and Instruction) and Vice-Provost (Academic)
  • Support to the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) and McCalla Professorship Adjudication
  • Coordinates and supports the following Faculty Excellence Award advisory selection and selection committees: Tory Chair Selection Committee, Distinguished University Professor Advisory Selection Committee, Centennial Professor Selection Committee, University Cup Selection Committee and Vargo Teaching Chair Selection Committee
  • Coordinates and supports the activities involved with the panel of Vice-President (Academic) representatives for Chair Selection Committees
  • Coordinates the review of external program proposals


 

Irene Hacke
Selection and Review Initiatives Manager

  • Deans and executive-level searches and reviews
  • Plans and coordinates executive search and review processes
  • Facilitates the use of Executive Search Consultants
  • Academic and Administrative Unit Reviews
  • Coordinates, implements, and manages special projects within the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

 

Lindsay Baranowski
Pamela Hayes (maternity leave)
Financial Assistant

  • Provides administrative and scheduling support to the Director, Academic Budget and Planning, and the Financial Officer.
  • Performs financial duties including internal control functions, reconciling of accounts and corporate credit cards, and travel and expense claim oversight.
  • Ensures accuracy of records and adherence to University policy and procedure.

 

Diana Hrynchuk
Executive Coordinator to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

  • Comprehensive administrative support to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) in his administrative and academic capacities
  • Manages electronic calendar and scheduling for the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

 

Rose Huculak
Records Coordinator/Reception

  • Supports and maintains all records and the document control system
  • Files, retrieves, and maintains an electronic database and records retention schedule
  • Maintains the Records Management Procedures and Guidebook
  • Mail distribution
  • Coverage for the Receptionist/Secretary

 

Sara McKeon
Selection and Review Assistant

  • Maintains an overall schedule for Academic and Administrative Unit Reviews and Deans and executive-level searches and reviews
  • Administrative and scheduling support for multiple concurrent committees and processes related to Academic and Administrative Unit Reviews and Deans and executive-level searches and reviews
  • Ensures and maintains adequate process, current templates, and policy and procedures

 

Eric Newell [bio]
Special Advisor to the Provost and Chancellor Emeritus

  • Liaises with internal and external University of Alberta stakeholders
  • Key contact for the proposed Aboriginal Gathering Place
  • Ongoing liaison with Aboriginal communities and the Energy sector

 

Art Quinney [bio]
Senior Advisor to the Provost

 

Carol Rae
Information Coordinator

  • Manages information (mail, e-mail, and correspondence) for the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
  • Reviews and proofreads documents (letters, agreements, approval forms, and key communications) requiring approval and/or signature
  • Liaises with the Executive Coordinator to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

 

Helen Steinke
Office Coordinator

  • Administrative and scheduling support for the Senior Administrative Officer
  • Administrative Team Lead
  • Liaison with Administrative Team and Senior Management
  • Human Resources support staff support
  • Office manager
  • Workflow management
  • Office logistics

 

Cindy Watt
Committees Manager

  • Administrative support for Committees
  • Executive Planning Committee (EPC)
  • Strategic Initiatives Group (SIG)
  • Vice-Provost's Council (VPC)
  • Killam Trusts Committee
  • Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)
  • Centres and Institutes Committee (CIC)
  • Standing Advisory Council on International Engagement (SACIE)
  • President's Advisory Council of Deans (PACD)
  • Chairs' Council (CC)
  • Special assignments as determined by the Provost

 

Von Whiting
Senior Administrative Officer  

  • Executive Support for the Provost and Provost’s Team
  • Issues Management 
  • Portfolio Support 
  • Strategic Planning 
  • Liaison
  • Office Management
  • Project Management
  • Committee Support