U of L president to chair Universities Canada board
University of Lethbridge president Mike Mahon is looking forward to taking on another big leadership role.
Mahon was elected chair of Universities Canada's board of directors on Wednesday during the association’s fall membership meeting in Ottawa.
Universities Canada is the national organization for 96 public and private not-for-profit universities in the country. Membership meets on a regular basis, governed by a 13-member board of directors consisting of university presidents.
Mahon served as a member of the board for the past four years — first as the representative for Western Canadian presidents, then as chair of the governance committee.
“I’m really excited to take on the role as chair for the next two years,” said Mahon. “And to help the organization continue to contribute to the furtherance of universities in Canada.”
The board has a few priorities it wants to tackle over the next few years. The first is continuing to increase support for research and innovation.
“Canada has fallen a little bit behind on that front,” said Mahon. “So we’re encouraging the federal government through a report conducted by Dr. Naylor, former president of the University of Toronto. His report suggests that there should be more funding in Canada for research and innovation.”
On Wednesday, the board also passed a commitment to “enhancing inclusive excellence” on university campuses.
“That’s about trying to create greater diversity of our student population, of our faculty and our staff — more women faculty members, greater diversity in terms of First Nations, Metis and Inuit faculty and students, more people with disabilities, etc.”
Mahon succeeds outgoing board chair Elizabeth Cannon, president of the University of Calgary, who held the position since 2015.
“Mike Mahon is an outstanding academic leader with a particular passion for improving the student experience, advancing reconciliation and pursuing research excellence,” said Paul Davidson, Universities Canada president, in a press release.
“It’s a real honour for me and for our university to be recognized as providing leadership in Canada for all universities,” said Mahon. “I’m pleased that the U of L sees the importance of us continuing to try and position the university nationally and internationally, and I think that this appointment is another way for us to help position the reputation of the University of Lethbridge.”
Mahon was named the sixth president and vicechancellor of the University of Lethbridge in 2010 and was reappointed for a second term beginning July 1, 2015.