FACULTY of ARTS and SCIENCE
OFFICE OF THE DEAN
The Office of the Dean supports the overall strategic goals and administrative activities of the Faculty of Arts and Science. This work includes supporting student success and a meaningful, learner-focused undergraduate experience; the development of academic programs and curriculum; coordination across academic departments on faculty workload and assignment planning, professional development and research; Faculty governance and decision-making; and financial management.
The Dean is responsible for setting strategic direction and has managerial, administrative, and fiscal oversight of the Faculty. The Dean is supported by the Associate Dean, Academic, who provides leadership on academic issues involving both students and faculty, the Associate Dean, Development, who provides leadership on academic initiatives and on relationships with stakeholders beyond the University, and the Associate Dean, Operations, who provides leadership on administrative issues and on matters involving non-faculty employees.
Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Advising is the first stop for academic planning information related to undergraduate study within the Faculty of Arts and Science or for general program information.
Deans
Please make an appointment to meet with the dean or associate deans.
Dr. Kevin Friesen
Interim Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Room 7-310T, City Centre Campus
780-633-3373
friesenk8@macewan.ca
Education
- PhD, Physiology and Cell Biology (Alberta)
- B.Sc., Zoology (Alberta)
Previous Appointments
- Chair, Department of Biological Sciences (MacEwan University)
Areas of Specialization and Scholarly Activity
Dr. Friesen’s research is aimed at understanding arthropod physiology and development. He uses molecular biology tools to answer questions about the biology of ticks. His research considers two general topics: 1) the physiological mechanisms of tick survival under freezing conditions, and 2) the molecular and genetic basis development of tick embryo development. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of tick survival and reproduction and helps explain how tick populations might spread with our changing climate.
Previous Publications
Friesen KJ, Dixon M, and Lysyk, TJ. 2016. Embryo development and morphology of the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Acari: Ixodidae). Journal of Medical Entomology 52 (4): 279-89 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjv193
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2009. Salivary gland degeneration and vitellogenesis in the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum: Surpassing a critical weight is the prerequisite and detachment from the host is the trigger. Journal of Insect Physiology 55: 936-42.
Seixas A, Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2008. Effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone and haemolymph on oogenesis in the ixodid tick Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 54: 1175-83.
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2004. Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone and other hormones on egg development, and identification of a vitellin-binding protein in the ovary of the tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 50: 519-529.
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2003. Cypermethrin inhibits egg development in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 76: 25-35.
Friesen KJ, Suri R, Kaufman WR. 2003. Effects of the avermectin, MK-243, on ovary development and salivary gland degeneration in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 76: 82-90.
Friesen KJ, Kaufman WR. 2002. Quantification of vitellogenesis and its control by 20-hydroxyecdysone in the ixodid tick, Amblyomma hebraeum. Journal of Insect Physiology 48(8): 773-782.
Dr. Melike Schalomon
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science
Professor, Psychology
On Leave
Room 7-310T, City Centre Campus
780-497-5302
schalomonm@macewan.ca
Dr. Schalomon’s academic background is in behavioural neuroscience. After serving as MacEwan’s inaugural Chair of the Animal Research Ethics Board, Chair of Psychology, and Associate Dean for several years, Dr. Schalomon was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science in 2020. In her decanal role, she provides strategic planning and academic leadership for the Faculty of Arts and Science with respect to governance, administrative structure, financial operations, strategic enrolment management, and infrastructure. Dr. Schalomon guides program and curriculum development across all disciplines encompassed by the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs and ensures compliance with external accreditation bodies and institutional policy. An important aspect of Dr. Schalomon’s work is the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty members. She ensures that faculty members have access to the resources and professional development opportunities they need to excel in their teaching and research and to achieve promotion through the academic ranks. The Dean also plays an important role in external relations and represents the Faculty of Arts and Science with industry partners, alumni, and academic partners of the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Most importantly, Dr. Schalomon’s work focuses on providing academic leadership to build and promote excellence in faculty, staff, and students. She works to ensure that the learning experience for students in the Faculty of Arts and Science is engaging and invigorating, and that students acquire the skills needed to find success after graduation.
Dr. Cameron Macdonell
Interim Associate Dean, Operations
Associate Professor, Computer Science
Room 7-310S, City Centre Campus
780-497-5625
macdonellc4@macewan.ca
Dr. Cam Macdonell holds a PhD (Computing Science) from the University of Alberta. In 2011, he joined the Department of Computer Science at MacEwan University where is currently an associate professor. His research focuses on computer science education, particularly in the area of open-source software development and its uses in the classroom. From 2017 to 2023, he served as chair of the department. In 2021, he was honoured with MacEwan’s Distinguished Teaching Award for outstanding teaching ability and commitment to education leadership. From August 2024 to May 2025, he served as the interim dean of science at Concordia University of Edmonton.
As the Interim Associate Dean, Operations, Dr. Macdonell is responsible for human resources matters, academic advising and fiscal management for the Faculty of Arts and Science. He also oversees award adjudication within the faculty and coordinates maintenance and upkeep of physical resources including lab and teaching spaces and equipment.
Dr. Samuel Mugo
Associate Dean, Development, Faculty of Arts and Science
Professor, Physical Sciences
Room 7-310N, City Centre Campus
780-633-3493
mugos@macewan.ca
Dr. Samuel Mugo holds a PhD (Analytical Chemistry) and postdoctoral training from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Queen’s University, respectively. Mugo is currently a professor in the Department of Physical Sciences, teaching courses in analytical chemistry and industrial chemistry internship. Dr. Mugo’s collaborative interdisciplinary research program which engages MacEwan undergraduate students as knowledge co-creators is focused on developing point-of-need (PON) diagnostic chemical sensors for agri-food, environmental, mental health & wellness monitoring. Mugo is passionate on collaboratively developing knowledge translation ecosystems between the academy and industries and communities, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Mugo's administration history at MacEwan includes appointments as past Interim Chair of Physical Sciences department and Interim Associate Dean, Faculty of Health and Community Studies (FHCS). He is currently the Associate Dean, Development in the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS).
As the Associate Dean, Development, Mugo's responsibilities include: Overseeing and planning academic collaborations with other Schools and Faculties; Collaborating with Faculty Director of Programs and Curricular Planning; Working with departments to plan, facilitate and coordinate diverse applied student opportunities including, field schools, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), Community Service Learning (COSL), among others; Working with FAS Associate Dean, Academic and university international office on international student recruitment and curriculum internationalization; Working with university office of communications on external and community relations initiatives; Supervision of MacEwan staff in FAS.
Dr. Jillian Skeffington
Associate Dean, Academic, Faculty of Arts and Science
Associate Professor, English
Room 7-310, City Centre Campus
780-633-3201
skeffingtonj@macewan.ca
Dr. Jillian Skeffington holds a PhD (Rhetoric and Composition) from the University of Arizona. Dr. Skeffington is currently an associate professor in the Department of English, teaching courses in advanced grammar, writing and rhetoric. Dr. Skeffington’s research areas focus on writing pedagogy in the post-secondary landscape and the institutional structures that shape curricular choices. She is endlessly fascinated by the institutional landscape of post-secondary education.
Dr. Skeffington’s administrative history at MacEwan includes two terms as Chair of the Department of English. She is currently the Associate Dean, Academic in the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS).
As the Associate Dean, Academic, Dr. Skeffington’s responsibilities include promoting and supporting faculty research and scholarship, addressing student concerns and student conduct within the Faculty of Arts and Science, promoting and supporting faculty engagement in teaching and pedagogy, working with departments to maintain learning outcomes and competencies, supporting and promoting professional development for faculty and collaboration with the FAS Dean and associate deans to enhance student engagement and retention.