Victoria University continues its search for a candidate to succeed current Victoria University President William Robins. A job posting for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University was made public on December 14, 2021 through Times Higher Education. The independent recruitment and consulting firm Laverne Smith & Associates has been hired to select suitable applicants.
Laverne Smith & Associates is composed of five researchers and management staff and five consultants responsible for identifying candidates. Victoria University has previously relied on the firm to find other executive-level staff, including the appointment of Rev. Doc. Michelle Voss Roberts as Principal of Emmanuel College at Victoria University and William Robins as President of the University in 2015.
The job posting on Times Higher Education is set to expire on January 13, 2022. According to the posting, requirements to hold the position include “a superior professional and academic profile,” “a demonstrated commitment to students,” “experience or interest in fundraising,” and “outstanding interpersonal skills.” The job posting also states that “the President must appreciate, nurture, and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.”
Previous Presidents of Victoria University have been drawn from professors at Victoria University and the University of Toronto, as well as faculty members from professors and executive faculty members at other universities, including McGill University, McMaster University, and York University. The two most recent Presidents, Paul Gooch and William Robins, were both faculty members of the University of Toronto prior to taking office.
The new President and Vice-Chancellor is expected to take office in July 2022.