New Brock chancellor has long-standing ties to Niagara
Hilary Pearson brings desire to mentor young women to new role
Brock University’s new chancellor lives in Montreal, but she’s no stranger to Niagara.
Hilary Pearson, who will take over from outgoing chancellor Shirley Cheechoo this fall, carries a lengthy resume in government and philanthropy at the national level.
Her husband, businessperson Michael Sabia, grew up here and their daughter spent two years at Ridley College in St. Catharines.
Sabia’s mother was Laura Sabia, a leading feminist and human rights activist and former member of St. Catharines city council.
“It was a surprise for me” when Brock president Gervan Fearon called to offer her the chancellorship on a three-year term, she said.
“I said to Dr. Fearon, if I take this on I want to take it on seriously. I would like to give it the time that it deserves.”
In addition to presiding over official ceremonies such as spring and fall convocation, the chancellor acts as an ambassador for the school.
Pearson — a granddaughter of former prime minister Lester B. Pearson — said “one of the things I care a lot about, at this stage of my life and career, is mentoring young women.
“I do think that’s something that I both enjoy and I think is necessary, and I really like Brock’s emphasis on putting students into opportunities and positions of leadership to learn how to be leaders themselves.”
She particularly agrees with Brock’s goal of being an active part of the community.
“Not the shining city on a hill that’s behind a wall, but a university that is very much community-facing and community connected. Engaging the students in the community,” she said.
A member of the board of Indspire, an agency that raises money to support education for Indigenous people, she said inclusion and reconciliation are priorities. Pearson has two decades of experience in foundation philanthropy, including 18 years as president of Philanthropic Foundations Canada.
Her first official duty will be to preside over fall convocation ceremonies in October. With most of the school’s business shifting online during the COVID-19 pandemic, she has no idea yet what shape convocation might take.
“What a challenge for postsecondary education in general,” she said. “I really feel for the university community, it’s so tough to have to basically rethink the way in which you work with students, the way you educate.”
Meeting with students — whenever that will be possible — “that’s really important to me … that would be a priority for me,” she said.
“To come and spend time with the students, and really get a feel for what the university is doing with them.”