Prof. Cate Dewey has been appointed as the University of Guelph’s associate vice-president (academic).
The announcement was made today by Charlotte Yates, provost and vice-president (academic).
“Prof. Dewey is a positive leader with great initiative and passion and enthusiasm for higher education,” Yates said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, having been a professor for 26 years and an administrator for 12 years.”
Dewey was chosen following an open competition and consultations with the U of G community.
“Professor Dewey received strong support for her candidacy. She is known for building strong relationships with students, faculty and staff,” said Yates, who praised Dewey’s strategy for helping U of G meet its enrolment targets and her initiative in creating student leadership scholarships.
“I look forward to working with her to further enhance U of G’s excellence in teaching and learning.”
In making the announcement, Yates thanked members of the search committee for their hard work and commitment to their task and the University community for its participation.
Dewey will oversee content, administration and delivery of all undergraduate programs, including those at the Ridgetown campus and the University of Guelph-Humber. She will supervise the program review process as required by the provincial government and will oversee introduction of new initiatives and internationalization of the curriculum.
She will head the University’s Council on Undergraduate Academic Advising, the Office of Open Learning and Educational Support, the Experiential Learning Advisory Committee and the Academic Inclusion Committee.
“I am excited about our opportunities for new initiatives and enhanced teaching and learning,” said Dewey, who has served interim AVPA since January.
“I look forward to continue to work with faculty, staff, students and administration across our outstanding comprehensive University. It is my honour to serve as U of G’s next AVPA.”
Previously, Dewey chaired the Department of Population Medicine for 11 years and has been a U of G professor since 1995. As chair, she helped redesign the DVM program and led development of the master of public health program.
A two-time recipient of the President’s Distinguished Faculty Award, she received the Pfizer Faculty Award for research excellence and was named to the YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction for science, technology and research.
The author of seven book chapters and more than 200 research papers, Dewey studies swine health management, one health and global health. During the 2009 H1N1 flu virus outbreak, she provided expertise and served as a media spokesperson.
Among her international teaching and research projects, she launched the Children of Bukati charity in 2006 to support schooling for AIDS orphans in western Kenya and has taught sustainable farming practices to women in the region.
Before her appointment as a U of G faculty member, Dewey taught at the University of Nebraska and was a staff veterinarian at the Ontario Veterinary College. She holds a DVM, M.Sc. and PhD from U of G.