Toronto, ON - Feb. 28, 2017 – Today, Rick Waugh, Chair of York University’s Board of Governors, announced the appointment of Dr. Rhonda Lenton as the next President and Vice-Chancellor of York University, effective July 1, 2017, for a five-year term. Lenton becomes York’s eighth president, succeeding Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri.
“Rhonda Lenton is a proven leader and will chart a successful course for York University’s next five years,” said Mr. Waugh. “An accomplished and respected academic, Rhonda will seize the opportunities ahead and champion our commitment to achieving the highest levels of excellence as a leading comprehensive university.”
Rhonda Lenton, 8th President and Vice-Chancellor
Lenton has served as York University’s Vice-President Academic and Provost since 2012. A respected sociologist, she has taught and published broadly in the areas of gender, health, sexual violence and higher education. Lenton sits on the Boards of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) and eCampus Ontario.
“I am honoured by this opportunity to lead York University,” said Lenton. “Tremendous opportunities await us—from the best students, faculty and staff, to the Markham Centre campus, and leveraging recent research successes, and we are poised for growth. York was founded on progressive values, and I will continue to foster diverse perspectives and improve access to high-quality postsecondary education.”
“Rhonda is a steadfast advocate for the values that define York,” said Mamdouh Shoukri. “The future of York University is in excellent hands, and I know she will continue our positive momentum of growth, academic excellence and incredible learning opportunities for our students, who are at the heart of every decision we make.”
Lenton’s appointment concludes the rigorous search process that began in December 2015. The search for York’s new president was conducted by a 14-member committee comprised of representatives from the University Senate and the Board of Governors and was guided by the Principles established in 2005 by those two governance bodies. It included extensive consultations across the York University community.
York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. York U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.