The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies extends its sincere congratulations to Dean J.J. McMurtry on his appointment as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Windsor, effective September 1, 2025. This distinguished appointment is a testament to Dean McMurtry’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to higher education.
Over the past six years, Dean McMurtry has led the Faculty with vision, integrity and a deep commitment to academic excellence and equity. Under his leadership, LA&PS has undergone transformative change. He has overseen the hiring of more than 120 new faculty members, launched the Faculty-wide co-op program in Fall 2024, and introduced the innovative CoLearn active learning classroom in Ross 117—thanks to funding from the Ontario government's Training Equipment and Renewal Fund (TE&RF), aimed at modernizing post-secondary facilities. He also played a central role in developing and launching a new graduate program and four new undergraduate programs at the Markham Campus. Additionally, he has been instrumental in expanding international recruitment and engagement, including new pathway programs with institutions in China, India and Ghana.
During his time with LA&PS, Dean McMurtry has appointed Special Advisors on Black Inclusion and Indigenous issues, oversaw the creation of a designated Black undergraduate student lounge, and led initiatives that have raised more than $1 million in support of Black student scholarships. His contributions to York’s Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy have been significant and many have been the first for the Faculty.
Dean McMurtry expanded research supports within LA&PS which has helped enable historic success in tri-council funding competitions and significantly enhanced the Faculty’s research capacity. Under his leadership, LA&PS became the leading Faculty in advancement at York with annual fundraising in the millions.
On behalf of all the faculty and staff at LA&PS, we extend our deepest appreciation to Dean McMurtry for his exemplary leadership and the lasting impact he has made on this Faculty and the broader York University community. We wish him continued success as he assumes his new role as President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Windsor.
Details regarding the appointment of an interim dean will be shared in the coming weeks.