Dr. Joanne MacLean, UFV’s current President and Vice-Chancellor of seven years, announced her retirement for June of this year. That means the hunt has begun to find a new president to take her place, which officially took off on Nov. 19, 2024. The search for a new president takes significant time and careful consideration from the Board of Governors, who oversee the entire process. Al Wiseman, UFV’s secretary, shared with The Cascade details about the presidential search, the president’s critical role at the university and in supporting its students, and what this means for the prospective president.
Wiseman explained that UFV’s president works alongside the Board of Governors in overseeing institutional operations. They’re also the Chair of Senate, which is an integral position in leading the Senior Administrative team, the Vice President, the Office of General Counsel, and the Chief Financial Officer, as well as Wiseman himself as the University Secretary.
The president oversees the university’s strategic direction and plans to implement and achieve the university’s goals. Another key job that comes with the presidency is building strong relationships with other UFV campuses, such as Mission, Chilliwack, and Hope, as well as with donors and other supporters.
When deciding who to establish as the new president, Wiseman talked about some of the most important capabilities and personal traits they must have to succeed in the role.
“What it comes down to is leading the university at the highest level … ensuring we live out our values, ensuring that we’re pursuing the mission of the university, and then ensuring that what flows out of that — the integrated strategic plan, the strategic enrollment management plan — are being followed or that the results are being achieved.”
Together, the designated search committee looks for people who are visionaries and strategic in their work. With a new president, there will be a fresh set of eyes to analyze the school’s needs and student priorities.
“If I was the new president, I’d be looking at what is it [that] we do to ensure that students are getting what they should be getting? … Where are there gaps? I’d be leaning on the Vice President to help me understand, [and] I would be talking to SUS.”
Wiseman added that having a solid motivation as the leader of a university is just as crucial.
“[We need] somebody who has a determination to achieve goals as a school. People who are doing this, that’s what’s driving them.”
With great responsibility comes significant pressure to ensure students have a fulfilling university experience. It’s up to the president to deliver their commitments to students.
“[Students] have things that matter to them, and they all want certain things from the university … the pressure is on the president to make sure that we’re doing what we can do to achieve our targets.”
The successful candidate will ideally begin their presidency on July 1, 2025, but depending on varying factors, they could start as late as Sept. 1.
Veronica is a Staff Writer at The Cascade. She loves to travel and explore new places, no matter how big or small. She is in her second year at UFV, pursuing the study of Creative
Writing.
