Presidential Search Committee Update (June 19 2023)
Dear Acadia Community,
Acadia’s Board of Governors expects to share an announcement regarding the appointment of an Interim President and Vice-Chancellor in the coming days. We know this is highly anticipated news as Dr. Peter Ricketts approaches the completion of his term as Acadia’s 16th President and Vice-Chancellor, and we appreciate your patience.
I am pleased to report that our 17th President and Vice-Chancellor selection is progressing well. The Presidential Search Committee has gone through an intensive consultation and interview process. I sincerely thank the Committee, campus community, and interested parties for your contributions throughout this process.
Acadia University is one of Canada’s best primarily undergraduate institutions, and as such, we attracted exceptional candidates for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor. I wish to extend my appreciation to each of the applicants.
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am happy to let you know that there will be a public forum this week to present our recommended candidate for President and Vice-Chancellor to the campus community in keeping with the updated guidelines for appointing senior academic officers. The Committee is also arranging meetings with students, faculty, staff, senior administration, Indigenous and African Nova Scotian representatives, Acadia Divinity College, and members of the academic unit to which the candidate would be appointed. Additionally, there will be opportunities to submit written feedback to the Presidential Search Committee after the Friday sessions. The process will be shared in a follow-up communication.
This is an exciting time for our campus community, and I look forward to your participation. The public forum offers you the chance to hear the recommended candidate present and answer your questions.
YOU ARE INVITED
All are welcome to attend the public forum on Friday, June 23, 2023, to welcome recommended President and Vice-Chancellor candidate Dr. Jeff Hennessy to the Sheldon L. Fountain Commons at 9 a.m.
To attend a Luncheon Reception at 12:15 p.m. in the Garden Room of the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, please RSVP by emailing presidentialsearch@acadiau.ca by 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 21.
ABOUT DR. JEFF HENNESSY
Dr. Jeff Hennessy (’99) is no stranger to our campus. He served as the Director of the School of Music from 2007-2013, where he led music curriculum initiatives that produced a 30 percent increase in the department’s student enrolment and raised its reputation nationally. He also served as Dean of Arts from 2014 to 2019, helping to lead Acadia’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action around education and laying the foundation for its decolonization strategy.
Since 2020, Hennessy has served as the Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research at Mount Allison University and is the Chief Transition Officer during Mount Allison’s presidential search. Hennessy also serves as the Chair of the Maple League of Universities.
Hennessy holds a Doctor of Philosophy (University of Toronto), a Master of Arts (University of British Columbia), a Bachelor of Music (Acadia University), and a Bachelor of Science (Trent University).
If you can’t attend on Friday, please know that we are working on offering the presentation and meetings in hybrid options, and more information will follow. The President and Vice-Chancellor Search website will contain updated information when available.
THANK YOU
I want to reiterate my appreciation to the entire Acadia community as well as my colleagues on the Presidential Search Committee as we work together to ensure a bright future for Acadia University.
Because of you, Acadia can offer our students a life-changing educational experience that prepares them for a transforming world and empowers them to fulfill their future aspirations.
Sincerely,
Henry Demone
Chair, Board of Governors
Acadia University