The Search is Over
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am very pleased to announce that Dr. David Atkinson will be joining Grant MacEwan University as its fourth president.
David will be joining us on July 1, 2011. His career in Canada’s post-secondary system has included presidencies with Brock University and Carleton University and he will be leaving his presidency at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in B.C. to join the MacEwan family.
David has deep roots in Alberta; he and his wife Terry are very pleased to be moving to Edmonton where his father, sister, son and family reside.
I want to express my appreciation to everyone at MacEwan for your participation in the search process. The insights you shared through the consultation process were invaluable to the Search Committee and the Board of Governors. Paul Byrne and I are looking forward to introducing David to MacEwan and hope that our first opportunity to do so in person will be within the next few weeks. For more information, please see the attached news release .
John Day, Chair, Board of Governors
New President Announcement
February 18, 2011
NEW MACEWAN PRESIDENT COMES HOME TO EDMONTON
Edmonton-- The Board of Grant MacEwan University is very pleased to announce the successful result of its search for MacEwan’s new President. David Atkinson will be bringing his considerable experience and expertise to the University starting July 1, 2011.
Dr. Atkinson has a career that is marked by academic excellence, a commitment to students and experience as President of three Canadian universities. He began his academic career at the University of Lethbridge, served as the Dean of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan, and moved on to Brock University and then Carleton University as President. Dr. Atkinson took the helm of Kwantlen Polytechnic University in the Lower Mainland, B.C., in 2008, a post he will hold until beginning his appointment at Grant MacEwan University. Dr. Atkinson led Kwantlen, which has a profile very similar to MacEwan’s, through its transformation from university college to university.
“Joining Grant MacEwan University at this time in its growth is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said David Atkinson. “For my entire career, I have remained passionately engaged with student involvement and excellence in undergraduate education. I’m looking forward to working with the board, students, faculty and staff. The sense of pride and optimism at MacEwan is everywhere. You only have to spend a few hours with people here to know that this is a dynamic institution with a proud past and a great future.”
Board Chair John Day added that this is a homecoming for David Atkinson and his family. “David’s roots in Edmonton are strong. He grew up in the province, received the majority of his education in Alberta and his family is here. We think he’s the right person to lead us into the future and shoulder MacEwan’s responsibilities as a major educator and institution in our city.”
“Grant MacEwan University has always been very fortunate in the calibre of president it has attracted. Paul Byrne is leaving a tremendous legacy with his retirement and we’re proud that the University will have the leadership it needs for the future,” Day noted.
“I am very pleased that David Atkinson has accepted the presidency at MacEwan. I look forward to welcoming David to the MacEwan family and working with him to ensure a smooth transition to the University,” said retiring President & CEO Dr. Paul Byrne.
The appointment of Dr. Atkinson was the culmination of work that began last May by a Presidential Search Committee which included board members and representation from faculty, staff, students, administration, Academic Governance Council, and the community.
Grant MacEwan University is a vibrant, innovative educational institution committed to providing a quality learning experience for students and faculty. MacEwan is Alberta's largest comprehensive undergraduate university with four campuses and more than 70 programs.
LEAD THE VISION FOR A PROGRESSIVE, STUDENT-FOCUSED UNIVERSITY
Advertisement for President & Chief Executive Officer
The footings are poured and the foundation is set. We need a creative builder to develop and consolidate the legacy for this unique university where students matter most. MacEwan is a vibrant, innovative institution focused on comprehensive student learning. Teaching and learning, informed and enriched by research, are high priorities for its 3,410 highly engaged faculty and staff. MacEwan has evolved from a community-based college to a university with a global focus that currently serves nearly 12,000 full-time students and 30,000 part-time students across four campuses in over 70 programs. Its academic environment provides a curriculum structure wherein learners have opportunities to ladder and combine academic credentials designed to add depth and breadth in preparation for employment or graduate studies. Such a unique learning environment is supported by a faculty and staff who are dedicated to teaching and engagement with student learning.
As President and Chief Executive Officer of Grant MacEwan University, you will expand on 40 years of the organization's tremendous momentum of growth while staying true to its values of respect, integrity, citizenship and environmental stewardship through learning, teaching, scholarship, research and service. Nurture the special academic environment where consideration of the student experience is at the epicenter of the decision-making process. Reporting to the Board of Governors, facilitate a shared governance structure within the university.
As a collaborative, collegial leader, enhance the capacity of MacEwan students to learn and live as global citizens. Cultivate the advancement of the University's academic and scholarly mission whose curriculum is enriched by national and international partnerships; ensure MacEwan remains unsurpassed in delivering an exceptional learning experience; guide the organization through a unique facility expansion plan; direct external stakeholder relations and fundraising while maintaining MacEwan's reputation for sound fiscal management; capitalize on MacEwan's community connections to create a strong ongoing market presence and expand its reputation as a university that prepares its students for life.
You likely hold a doctoral degree and have demonstrated experience and progressive leadership within the higher education community. As an innovator who appreciates a dynamic, unique values-based organization, seize this opportunity to lead one of Canada's most exciting post-secondary institutions.
To explore this exciting opportunity further, please contact our office at 403-410-6700 or calgary@odgersberndtson.ca. To be considered for this position, please submit your curriculum vitae and related information online at www.odgersberndtson.ca/en/careers/9355.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Grant MacEwan University is at a pivotal point in its history. It is looking for a President and Chief Executive Officer to build on the excellent reputation and proven successes of the institution and lead the establishment of a distinct new undergraduate university.
Founded in 1971, MacEwan has offered certificate and diploma programming for over 40 years, university transfer programs for twenty-four years, and baccalaureate degrees since 2006. MacEwan will continue to offer degree and non-degree programs. The university was officially renamed Grant MacEwan University on September 24, 2009.
MacEwan is a multi-campus innovative institution focused on student learning. Teaching and learning, informed and enriched by research and scholarly activity, are foundational for its highly engaged faculty and staff. It offers over 70 programs for 12,000 full-time students and 30,000 part-time students. MacEwan serves over 800 full-time international students on campus and has formed several international partnerships to facilitate program delivery, student placements, and scholarly exchanges for faculty.
The University operates with an annual operating budget of over $212 million. Strategic priorities for the university include: development and implementation of high-quality programs and scholarly activity, enhancement of student and university services, and consolidation of university operations.
Grant MacEwan University serves primarily the greater Edmonton region and northern Alberta. It also extends its reach through distance delivery and eCampus Alberta to provide educational access across Canada and internationally. As a partner in Campus Alberta, the University collaborates with other institutions to advance student mobility, offer outreach and transfer programming, and shared services.
MacEwan's reputation and success is in preparing students for life by delivering an exceptional student-focused learning experience and doing so while maintaining its reputation for sound fiscal management.
THE LOCATION
Edmonton, the provincial capital of Alberta is a cultural, government and educational centre. The City is recognized internationally as a leader in environmental sustainability. Edmonton's river valley which follows the North Saskatchewan River constitutes the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America and has the highest per capita area of parkland of any Canadian city.
With a population of over one million people, Alberta's capital region is a diverse community and is viewed as one of the world's most cost-competitive business environments. Edmonton is an economic leader and has recently enjoyed its longest period of sustained economic growth. Known as the "Festival City", Edmonton hosts over 40 festivals per year, such as the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Heritage Festival, and the internationally acclaimed Fringe Theatre Festival, the largest of its kind in North America. The City is also home to a thriving music, arts and cultural scene which are strongly influenced by the MacEwan arts and music programs. Edmonton has also been the host of many international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, the World University Games, the World Masters Games, and the IAAF World Championships.
THE ROLE
The President and Chief Executive Officer provides strategic leadership directed at defining and implementing a vision for MacEwan University's future. Reporting to the Board of Governors, the President and Chief Executive Officer facilitates a shared governance structure within the University. As chief executive officer, the President brings an inclusive leadership style to ensure the University continues to live the MacEwan values of respect, integrity, citizenship and environmental stewardship. The President leads a senior management team to effectively manage all aspects of the University including: academic accreditation and quality assurance, enrolment management and growth, facility planning, financial management, risk and opportunity, human resource management, fund development and student services.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Leadership
Ensure MacEwan remains unsurpassed in delivering an exceptional learning experience for students;
Provide leadership to establish, promote, implement, continually evaluate and reformulate MacEwan's mission, philosophy, strategic goals, and operational priorities;
Clearly identify opportunities and challenges to advance the vision and university strategic plan;
Advance the University's academic and scholarly mission through establishing provincial, national, and international partnerships;
Lead the requirements of resource management of the University with the government, stakeholders, and the MacEwan community.
Governance
Provide overall leadership and direction to ensure the University operates within the policy framework established by the Board of Governors by reporting to the Board and its standing committees;
Facilitate an effective shared governance framework with the Board of Governors and the Academic Governance Council.
Communication and Relationship Building
Communicate effectively with all internal and external constituencies;
Foster open communication frameworks and channels to connect with the University and its stakeholder community;
Build strong relationships within higher education, the business and voluntary sectors, and at all levels of government;
Direct external relations and fundraising efforts.
Resource Management and Acquisition
Negotiate at a provincial level to ensure required funding grants at an operational and capital level are adequate to continuing offering MacEwan's programs;
Guide the University through a unique facility expansion plan by creating financial partnerships, strong relationships with benefactors, and government funding.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate:
Has proven and progressive administrative leadership experience relevant to the needs of a large, diverse and evolving post secondary institution;
Brings strong academic credibility with a broad knowledge of post secondary institutions, a background in teaching and scholarly activity; and, ideally possesses a doctoral degree;
Appreciates the dynamics of a university offering multiple, relational credentials;
Leads, understands, and manages finances within a context of competitive and multiple funding providers;
Is experienced in fund development and external relations;
Thrives within a culture of open communication, critical debate and dialogue with students, faculty, staff, advisory committees, and alumni;
Has a proven track record of building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with government;
Demonstrates the ability to adapt and actualize a vision and strategic plan within an ever-changing post-secondary environment, and
Is able to engage with a broad range of external stakeholders and the media.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
The ideal candidate:
Is comfortable in working with ambiguity and complexity, and is capable of adapting quickly to changing contexts;
Values and respects people and is a team builder;
Remains at ease in the public spotlight;
Is an exceptional communicator;
Is an effective decision-maker and problem-solver; and
Stays positive, enthusiastic, and engaging.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Foundational Documents for the University including: Mission, Mandate, Vision, Educational Philosophy, Educational Goals, MacEwan Creed, may be found at:
www.macewan.ca/boardofgovernors
For more general information, go to:
http://www.macewan.ca/
http://www.edmonton.ca/
http://www.edmonton.com/
To explore this opportunity further, please send your resume in confidence to Odgers Berndtson: calgary@odgersberndtson.ca or call +1-403-410-6700.
Janet Soles, Partner
Tammy Connelly, Partner
Tim Hamilton, Partner
Brian Mellor, Principal
Suite 1600, 250 - 6th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 3H7 Canada
The search procedures for MacEwan's next President and CEO involved three concurrent phases:
Stakeholder Consultations
Time invested up-front truly paid dividends. We greatly valued the input and perspective of both internal and external MacEwan stakeholders. The search committee and search consultants sought stakeholder input using a variety of outreach methods. This feedback was used to create a Position and Candidate Profile for candidate assessment.
Input was provided through a confidential on-line survey.
Identification of Candidates
Concurrent to the consultation process, the search consultants identified organizations in which individuals would have gained the leadership experience relevant to the role of President and CEO. Confidential outreach to individuals within these organizations took place and was used to both solicit interest on the part of possible candidates and to determine their suitability in order to encourage formal candidacy when appropriate. Included in this outreach were referrals of candidates whose names emerged from the stakeholder consultation process.
The position was advertised through both print and web forums. The advertising also encouraged interested applicants to engage in the search process.
Evaluation and Decision
The search consultants conducted initial interviews with potential candidates and then presented these backgrounds confidentially to the search committee. This allowed the committee to review the background of potential candidates, their individual competency matrix and their fit as candidates for the President and CEO selection. After review and discussion against the criteria, the committee selected a short-list group of candidates for formal committee interviews.
Following the interview process, thorough reference and background checks were conducted on the finalist candidate(s). Additional meetings and presentations also took place during this time. The search committee made its candidate recommendations to the Board, who subsequently conducted final interviews and chose the university’s next president. The Board also approved the parameters for the president’s contract.
MEETING SUMMARY
May 26, 2010
The first meeting of the Presidential Search Committee was held on May 26, 2010.
The Chair of the Committee, Oryssia Lennie welcomed members and, on behalf of the Board of Governors, expressed appreciation for their participation.
Committee members signed a Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreement regarding the presidential search.
The terms of reference for the Committee were reviewed and agreed upon.
The Chair of the Committee outlined the communication guidelines noting the Chair serves as the official spokesperson for the Committee. An email address (presidentialsearch@macewan.ca) and a website (www.macewan.ca/presidentialsearch) have been created. MacEwan MidWeek will be used to assist with communicating within the university community.
The Chair of the Committee reported the Board of Governors is in the process of concluding the RFP to engage an executive search firm.
Committee members were provided with an information package with current articles and research on the topic of presidential searches in the post-secondary sector.
June 24, 2010
The search consultants from Odgers Berndtson were introduced.
Odgers Berndtson provided a preliminary overview of the elements and timeline for a presidential search.
The Committee provided input to Odgers Berndtson on the consultation process with internal and external stakeholders toward development of a position profile.
An overview of the website was provided to the Committee.
July 29, 2010
Odgers Berndtson provided a progress report on the consultation process.
The Committee provided input on a draft advertisement and advertisement plan.
August 25, 2010
The Committee approved a position advertisement and advertising strategy for publication in September through various print and online media. The advertisement will also be shared with the university community through MacEwan MidWeek and posted on the search website, MacEwan’s Human Resources website, and the Odgers Berndtson website.
September 15, 2010
As part of the consultation process to create the position profile, the Committee received presentations from each of the student, staff and faculty associations. As well, President Byrne provided an overview of “The Role of the President & CEO”.
October 28, 2010
The committee received and provided feedback on a preliminary report of applications received and outreach activity conducted by the search firm.
November 22, 2010
The committee reviewed the list of potential candidates, selected individuals to proceed to the long-list interview phase, and discussed the interview process.
December, 2010
The interview process was initiated and is ongoing.
February 14, 2011
The Search Committee has concluded its work and turned over the next phase of the recruitment process to the Board. The experience has been very positive and we are excited about the leadership opportunities that are emerging for the University. We look forward to hearing the result of the Board's deliberations at a positive conclusion of what has been an exciting process.
Presidential Search: A Complex Process
“No other event in the life of an institution affords the same opportunity for institutional learning as does the search for a president”.
(Block McLaughlin, 1993, p. 113)
Choosing the chief executive officer of a public post-secondary institution is a critical responsibility of a board. Board members may learn about the topic of presidential search through presentations at governance conferences or by reading governance books. Most often, however, boards learn about the topic at the time their institution is engaged in the recruitment process for their next president. Seeking knowledge about this topic through a proactive and targeted approach is not common practice. However, in 2009, the MacEwan Board embraced a unique opportunity to learn about presidential search by participating in a progressive learning experience at a time when MacEwan was not conducting a search.
A study conducted by Margo Baptista (Senior Manager, Board Operations at MacEwan) examined how, through the application of knowledge management theory, a board can learn and share knowledge on a vital board responsibility—presidential search. Study participants included internally-elected and publicly-appointed board members, primarily Board Chairs, from public post-secondary institutions in Alberta and British Columbia. As well, there were recruitment specialists who provide executive search services to public post-secondary institutions in both provinces.
Four data-gathering techniques were used in the study: an online survey, mini-focus groups, one-on-one semi-structured interviews, and a modified World Café. Each technique was sequenced to build upon the preceding one and cover the three topics of the study: knowledge management within a board of governors, board succession planning, and presidential search. The frequency of turnover within public post-secondary boards of governors presents particular challenges to the individual and collective ability of members to acquire and manage intellectual capital and practical knowledge on board roles and responsibilities. This shared organizational learning experience also contributed to a comprehensive board succession plan for MacEwan’s Board.
Eighteen distinct components on the topic of presidential search were identified and explored: search process, search timeline, search committee models, membership, committee chair, role of the board and committee terms of reference, stakeholder consultation and engagement, policy, practice, plan, or guidelines, board visioning exercise, position profile, recruitment specialist, role of human resources department, interim president, transition plan, communication strategy, confidentiality, political sensitivities and ethical issues needing consideration, and organizational culture. While not all of these components were used in all search processes discussed in the study, they indicated a range of ideas that boards could consider. Best practices for presidential search and strategies for learning about it were also explored.
Copyright © Margo Baptista 2009. All Rights Reserved
Presidential Search – A message from the Search Committee Chair
Grant MacEwan University is a vibrant, innovative educational institution focused on student learning. In less than 40 years, MacEwan has evolved from a small community college, to Alberta's largest university transfer institution, to the province’s largest undergraduate university with four campuses and over 70 programs. During this time, the institution has been led by only three exceptional leaders, who have built from each other’s strengths, visions and successes.
The search for the fourth President and CEO of MacEwan is underway and we look forward to building on this tremendous momentum while staying true to our values of respect, integrity, citizenship and environmental stewardship through teaching, learning, scholarship, research and service.
The search for the next President and CEO will take place over the next several months. During this time, we encourage ideas and suggestions about the search process and the skills and experiences the incoming President must possess. We are designing this process to offer a voice to the MacEwan community, both internal and external, so please take a few moments to share your input relating to the search. The confidential on-line survey is available by clicking here: Share your Input.
On behalf of the Grant MacEwan University Board of Governors, we thank the members of the Presidential Search Committee for their dedicated commitment to this search.
Please join us in our search for the next President and CEO of Grant MacEwan University and share in our excitement as we build on MacEwan’s excellent leadership reputation.
Sincerely,
Oryssia Lennie
Chair, Presidential Search Committee
Vice Chair, Board of Governors
Grant MacEwan University
Presidential Search Committee Membership
Chair:
Board Vice Chair Oryssia Lennie
Board: Two (2) public members (selected by the Board) Willie Grieve, Dr. Bill Johnston
External stakeholders: One (1) Board alumnus (selected by the Board) Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai
Internal stakeholders:
- One (1) Students’ Association (selected by the Students’ Association) Nils Holmgren
- One (1) MacEwan Staff Association (selected by the MacEwan Staff Association) Donna-Mae Winquist
- One (1) Faculty Association (selected by the Faculty Association) Jerry Zdril
- One (1) Alumni representative (selected by Alumni Relations & Services) Susan Mehsuria
- One (1) Senior Administrator at the VP Level (selected by Vice Presidents) Dr. Janet Paterson-Weir
- One (1) Academic Governance Council member (selected by Academic Governance Council) Judy Moore
- One (1) Academic Dean (selected by Deans) Sharon Bookhalter
Resources (non-voting):
- Senior Manager Board Operations Margo Baptista
- Director Human Resources Brian Pearson
Executive Search Firm: Odgers Berndtson
- Janet Soles
- Tammy Connelly
- Tim Hamilton
- Kevin Gregor
- Brian Mellor
