NEWS RELEASE
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
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Algoma University is pleased to announce that Drs. Linda Burnett and István Imre have been named assistant academic dean of teaching and learning and assistant academic dean of student success, respectively. These two new leadership positions will support the Academic Dean with both the academic and student success priorities of the University.
“Algoma University is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Burnett and Dr. Imre into these important roles as Assistant Academic Dean of Teaching and Learning and Assistant Academic Dean of Student Success and Well-being,” said Dr. Donna Rogers, academic dean of the University. “Both bring over 10 years of experience working at the University, and have demonstrated research excellence in their fields. They each bring a wealth of experience to their new roles and we look forward to working with them in this new capacity.”
Dr. Burnett is an associate professor in the Department of English and Film and has been at the University since 2004. Her research interests include the theatre of Atlantic Canada, feminism, tragedy, scepticism, and the work of Margaret Cavendish.
She is developing new research interests in the scholarship of teaching and learning. She holds a doctorate in English from McGill University, and has been heavily involved in various University committees, including the Senate and the Senate’s Academic Standards and Teaching and Learning Committee.
Dr. Imre is an associate professor in the Department of Biology. He has been employed at the University since 2006 and was instrumental in developing the University’s esteemed four-year Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology program and the newer Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program. Imre holds a doctorate in Biology from Concordia University and has research interests in fish population ecology. In 2013, Imre was received the Distinguished Award.
The appointment of two assistant academic deans will help the University fulfill its priorities of enhancing campus culture and student life, offering vibrant academic programs, and fostering institutional excellence, as outlined in the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan.
Burnett and Imre will work closely with the president and vice-chancellor, academic sean, university registrar, and various student groups, among others, in fulfilling the special mission of University and ensuring that the University is student-centric. Both will play key leadership roles on campus in developing plans and policies for advancing quality teaching and learning, supporting academic student success, and recruitment and retention efforts.
The two assistant academic dean positions came into being in response to needs identified by students and faculty. “During President Vezina’s listening tour in the fall, and since I came to Algoma U in the winter, we have heard clearly from faculty and students alike that they would like to see greater support for student success and teaching and learning initiatives, and we’re responding on various fronts, including these new Assistant Deanships,” added Rogers.
Both faculty members will begin their new roles on July 1. While in these positions, they will be seconded from some of their teaching duties, but will continue to be in the classroom with Algoma U students, remaining connected to the essential work of both student success and teaching and learning.
The announcement was made at the final Algoma University Senate meeting of the 2017-18 academic year.
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