Professor Jerzy Kowal, chair of Glendon’s Department of Hispanic Studies, will take over as the new associate principal academic & research, starting July 1 for a three-year term.

“Jerzy brings a broad range of experience to the position. He has chaired the Hispanic studies department for several years now. Beyond that, he has been chair of a wide range of committees, from faculty council committees to tenure and promotion adjudication committees,” says Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts.

Right: Jerzy Kowal

Kowal, who joined the Department of Hispanic Studies as a professor in 2003 and assumed the role of coordinator of the Spanish Language Program, will take over from Françoise Mougeon.

Kowal was acting chair of Hispanic Studies from 2005 to 2006, becoming chair in 2007, working closely with Mougeon, then acting associate principal academic & research. In his new position, Kowal hopes to make a contribution to Glendon’s academic development, in particular to the Centre of Excellence for French-Language & Bilingual Postsecondary Education, a designation received by Glendon from the Ontario government in 2008.

“Building on the outstanding achievements of the Glendon Faculty, I will work to further expand the college’s bilingual reality and enhance the offerings in Spanish. I also hope to make this campus more prominent on the local, national and international levels,” says Kowal. “We need to raise awareness of the research accomplished here, as well as to promote specializations which could attract the media, the francophone milieu and future students.”

Kowal’s vision includes a re-examination of Glendon’s electronic public image to enhance the college’s branding. He is also planning to review the content of Glendon’s BA degree programs with a view to evaluating Glendon’s place in Canada’s academic setting, including its level of technology.

By Marika Kemeny, Glendon communications officer