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.
Read the presidential recruitment procedure.
The Presidential Search Steering Committee has started its work as per the committee’s Terms of Reference.
Community engagement
As part of the search process, the VIU community will have the opportunity to provide input into the search criteria and qualities needed to lead VIU through its next stage. The next step in this process is to form the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. Please review the presidential recruitment procedure to learn more about the role of this committee.
Over the coming weeks, there will be further information about how VIU community members can engage in the search process. Please check back to this page for updates about the search process.
If you have any questions about the search process, please contact us at presidentialsearch@viu.ca.
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