VIU Campus

Office of the President

VIU President Dr. Debroah Saucier speaks at a podium wearing her regalia

Biography

Dr. Deborah Saucier was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University in July 2019. Dr. Saucier holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Western Ontario and a BSc and MSc in psychology from the University of Victoria. She received her International Baccalaureate diploma from the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in Metchosin, near Victoria.

Prior to joining VIU, Dr. Saucier was President of MacEwan University in Edmonton and Provost and Academic Vice-President of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Dr. Saucier is a distinguished researcher in both psychology and neuroscience. She was the Canadian Research Chair in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge and Dean of Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and has garnered numerous grants to support her research, including awards from Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

Dr. Saucier is also the author of two books in psychology and an advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

At Vancouver Island University, Dr. Saucier has guided the development and implementation of the institution’s first strategic plan. The plan includes three core values – People, Place and Potential – and six commitments for the next five years. Following the guidance of the plan, Dr. Saucier is working to build on the institution’s strengths and fostering the unique educational experience at VIU to be more accessible, more inclusive, and more deeply rooted in community.

Born in Saskatoon, Dr. Saucier is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. In 2020, she was awarded the Indigenous Women in Leadership Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. As president of Vancouver Island University, Dr. Saucier is focused on helping to close the education gap for Indigenous youth and working to incorporate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and the TRC Calls to Action into institutional decision making by implementing both policy and physical changes on campus to ensure that Indigenous cultures and knowledges are reflected in campus spaces.

Dr. Saucier is married to curator and contemporary artist Chai Duncan and has a teenage daughter.

Dr. Deborah Saucier

Vancouver Island University's President Dr. Deb Saucier says her first hello to the community.

Three Things

  • Message from the President

    International Women's Day

    On International Women’s Day, I am proud to share my appreciation for the remarkable contributions of women here at Vancouver Island University and beyond.

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  • Message from the President

    February is Black History Month

    As we usher in February, VIU proudly recognizes and celebrates Black History Month. This month serves as a poignant reminder of the rich and diverse contributions of Black individuals in our community, our nation, and across the globe.

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  • Message from the President

    President’s message on the crisis in the Middle East

    This week marks the start of WorldVIU Days, an event for our entire campus to celebrate the diversity of cultures and traditions at VIU. Indeed, WorldVIU days comes at a time when our world feels incredibly divided.

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  • Message from the President

    Statement on the war in the Middle East

    Vancouver Island University is deeply saddened by the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the tragic loss of lives in Israel and Palestine. We recognize these events are distressful and a cause for concern among members of our university community.

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  • President Saucier speaks with her arms raised, wearing an orange shirt

    National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, September 30

    Many people have said over the years that I've been involved in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Why can't you just get over it and move on?  

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  • Four people walk down the stairs next to the Health and Science Centre at VIU's Nanaimo campus

    Welcome to the Fall 2023 Semester

    A message from Dr. Deborah Saucier, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor
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  • Dr. Deborah Saucier and Chris Yeast hug

    Pride Month

    It was a pleasure to join the Positive Space Alliance yesterday to raise the Pride flag on campus to mark the beginning of Pride Month. 

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  • Three totems in front of Shq'apthut, VIU's Gathering Place

    National Indigenous History Month

    June is National Indigenous History Month. At VIU, we acknowledge the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nations and the ways in which our work and our lives are enriched by the knowledges and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of these lands on which we teach, learn,

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  • Graduates wearing caps and gowns clap and smile

    Op/Ed: Universities must increase access to help fill critical job vacancies

    The playing field to access post-secondary education is far from even.
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  • Message from the President

    Recognizing Asian Heritage Month

    In May, we celebrate Asian Heritage Month by recognizing and celebrating the contributions members of Asian communities have made to Canada, British Columbia, and our local communities. 

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