VIU is embarking on the search for its next continuing president. At the January 29, 2026 Board Meeting, following consultation with Interim President Dr. Dennis Johnson, the Board kicked off the search. This was done to ensure a thorough and comprehensive recruitment process, as outlined in the Board’s procedure, before the expiry of Dr. Johnson’s current interim appointment.
Provide your feedback! (April 20 to May 15)
Community members can help shape this important search by providing feedback on the criteria that will be used to recruit and select VIU’s next president.
Feedback on the criteria can be provided in three ways:
- Survey: All survey answers will be kept anonymous and summarized in a consultation report that will be posted publicly.
- Email: to presidentialsearch@viu.ca. Emails received from individuals will be kept anonymous and summarized in a consultation report that will be posted publicly.
- Formal Submission: by email to presidentialsearch@viu.ca. Community Groups, Local Governments, Community Associations can provide formal submissions. Formal submissions will not be anonymized. Formal feedback will be summarized and shared in a consultation report that will be posted publicly.
The PSAC will also be directly reaching out to a number of VIU’s community partners, local governments, and Indigenous partners and inviting them to provide feedback on the criteria for what VIU should be looking for in its next president. If you have any questions about the search process, how to express interest in the position, how to refer prospective candidates, or how to participate in the consultation process, please contact us at presidentialsearch@viu.ca.
Presidential search: latest updates
The PSAC is looking for public consultation on the criteria VIU’s community thinks are most important in the next University President. Community feedback can be received from April 20 to May 15. See above for more information on community engagement and how to participate.
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee membership has been constituted in accordance with the terms of reference.
Membership, Presidential Search Advisory Committee 2026
Voting Members
- Jamie Cassels, Chair of the Board of Governors
- Nate Bello, Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors
- Peter C. P. Behie, Board of Governors
- Sharon Torgerson, Board of Governors
- Claire Grogan, Interim Provost and Vice-President Administration
- Carolyn Russell, Vice-President Students
- Rachel Moll, Dean, Faculties of Education and Academic & Career Preparation
- Sungchul Choi, Dean, Faculty of Management
- Patricia Elliott, Director, Employee Relations
- Bryan Tinlin, Director, Student Services
- Lillian Morton, Director, Office of Indigenous Education
- David Hopwood, Vice-Chair of Senate
- Gara Pruesse, President, VIUFA
- Quinn Ramsay, Lead Steward, CUPE (Delegate)
- Brad Jannaway, Chair, BCGEU
- James Bowen, Executive Director, VIUSU
- Michael MacKenzie, Professor, Political Studies
- Chris Jaeger, Professor, Management
- Buddy Wolfe, BCGEU Representative
Non-Voting Members
- William Boyte, General Counsel and University Secretary
- Kathryn Young, Boyden
Administrative Support
- Dorcas Nganga
At the March 31 meeting, the Board of Governors approved the draft criteria to forward to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) as per the PSAC’s Terms of Reference.
The PSSC completed its work and has referred documentation to the Board of Governors to initiate the search.
The Presidential Search Steering Committee (PSSC) has been constituted.
Presidential Search Steering Committee Members
- Chair, Board of Governors: Jamie Cassels
- Vice-Chair, Board of Governors: Nate Bello
- Immediate Past Chair, Board of Governors: Karen Bittner
The Committee completed its work as per the committee’s Terms of Reference.