University of the Fraser Valley has announced that Dr. Joanne MacLean will be its new president and vice-chancellor.
MacLean is currently dean of the faculty of health sciences at UFV and will officially assume her new role on May.
She is the first woman to hold the title of president at UFV in a non-interim role.
MacLean replaces Jackie Hogan, who has held the office on an interim basis since June 2017.
Hogan said she “couldn’t be more pleased” with the appointment.
“Joanne has the experience, energy, and ability to launch UFV into the next phase of our 44-year journey. I look forward to working with her over the next few months as she transitions into her role in May,” she said.
MacLean said she is “excited and honoured” to take on her new roles at UFV.
“I’m looking forward to building on the legacy of former president Mark Evered and working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to achieve our priorities and contribute to the future prosperity of the communities we serve in the Fraser Valley and beyond,” she said.
MacLean has more than 30 years of experience as a professor and university administrator. She held appointments at the University of Windsor and Brock University in southern Ontario before coming to UFV in 2012.
She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in physical education at the University of New Brunswick in her hometown of Fredericton.
She holds a PhD from Ohio State University, where she studied human resource management in sport and recreation, and administration in higher education.
MacLean has held positions as professor, department chair, athletic director, and dean.
As an accomplished university basketball coach, she was selected Ontario Coach of the Year three times while at the University of Windsor.
She participated as a coach and administrator at three World University Games, and was Canada’s Chef de Mission at the same event in 2003 in South Korea.
MacLean is the author of two books and over 70 peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
Her research interests include human resources and performance management, sport governance, and the Canadian sport system.
She was named a research fellow of the North American Society for Sport Management in 2009.
John Pankratz, chair of the UFV board of governors, said MacLean is a “wonderful choice” for the university.
“Her experience and credentials as a professor, coach, researcher, and administrator are impeccable and demonstrate her remarkable ability to build and maintain functional and highly effective teams,” he said.
“Her strong and life-long commitment to education and to students will serve UFV and our communities incredibly well.”
Len Goerke, vice-chair of the board of governors, said MacLean “demonstrates a passionate and contagious enthusiasm for UFV.”
MacLean and her partner, Maureen Murphy, will move into Friesen House this spring and are looking forward to residency on the Abbotsford campus and to building further ties within the Fraser Valley after enjoying life in Chilliwack over the past five years.