In my 23 years at York, I have seen the many ways that our community has come together to catalyze positive change. In the midst of shifting and increasingly complex challenges, York remains a modern and progressive university that is producing the talent and generating the knowledge needed to provide innovative solutions to the pressing issues we face, from the climate crisis, geopolitical conflicts and political polarization to rising inequality and the far-reaching impacts of disruptive technologies.
Since my last report to our community, York has continued to lead the way in 21st century learning by opening the first public university campus in York Region located in the City of Markham. Plans are well underway for our new first-of-its-kind School of Medicine opening in 2028 with a focus on primary health care. We continue to strengthen our world-class teaching and research activities, expand access, and empower the next generation of global citizens with technologically-enhanced and hands-on learning to prepare them to meet this moment of change in Canada and beyond.
At the same time, our commitment to interdisciplinary research is actively generating and mobilizing fundamental knowledge and its application to answer questions in critical areas like health, science, social justice, and sustainability. Whether by opening new research units and labs, both at York and abroad, or by leading groundbreaking collaborative projects into socially responsible emerging technologies, we are enhancing the well-being of the communities we serve and expanding opportunities for our students to engage in research and drive innovation.
No institution can become an agent of change by operating in a silo, and by continually expanding the university’s vibrant networks and forging purposeful partnerships that transcend sectors and borders, we are joining forces with impactful organizations locally and across the world to fulfill our shared goal of advancing the common good.
Over the past year alone, we have made remarkable progress in elevating our reputation as a major international university, and as you will see throughout this Report, this momentum would not have been possible without our diverse community of students, faculty, course instructors, staff, alumni, partners, volunteers, and supporters.
The strength and dedication of our community, and the bold plans we have put in place to guide us in the fulfillment of our vision — from the YorkU Forward Plan to our inaugural Well-being Strategy — make me hopeful about the future; not only the future of our institution but also the brighter, more equitable and sustainable future that we can achieve, together.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the achievements captured in this report, as well as my appreciation for all that you do and have done to make York a driving force for positive change.
Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice Chancellor
