A psychology professor with a distinguished academic record who has been with UBC’s Okanagan campus from the beginning, and has served as dean of its largest faculty since 2010, will now serve as provost and vice-principal academic.
UBC’s board of governors has approved the appointment of Cynthia Mathieson as provost and vice-principal academic, responsible for leadership and direction in the areas of planning, policy development and resource management in meeting UBC Okanagan’s strategic goals. She has served as interim provost since July 2013.
The provost provides leadership on all academic matters, including program development, teaching effectiveness and academic infrastructure.
“Our search committee was extremely impressed by the strength and diversity of Cynthia Mathieson’s academic and administrative experience,” said Deborah Buszard, deputy vice-chancellor and principal of UBCO. “Cynthia is a respected leader who has been instrumental in the development of our institution and our academic programs since 2005.
“That history and experience is particularly valuable as we enter a time of extensive, wide-ranging planning for the future,” says Buszard. “I am delighted to be working with her as we build our teaching and research capacity, and continue to create exciting new opportunities for the people of our region and the province.”
Mathieson’s appointment as provost is effective immediately and will run to June 2018.
Mathieson has several graduate degrees, including a master of science and PhD from the University of Calgary.
Prior to her appointment as dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences in 2010, Mathieson served as acting dean of that faculty and as acting dean of the college of graduate studies. She is the former head of the psychology and computer science unit and former director for the Centre for Population and Health Services Research.
