VIU Announces New Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic

Dr. Carol Stuart accepts key academic leadership role with University

Nanaimo, BC:  Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce Dr. Carol Stuart has accepted the role of Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic. Dr. Stuart will provide leadership and direction to the academy, ensuring that VIU continues to achieve excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service. Dr. Stuart will work with Indigenous communities to support, enhance and develop relevant initiatives across the curriculum, as well as build partnerships with communities. Further, her work will support institutional initiatives that foster Indigenous education, leadership, and opportunity; strengthen and advance research and scholarship at the University, and build partnerships with communities and industry partners to enhance social and economic development in the region.

“I am looking forward to working to advance VIU’s Indigenous mandate and explore the potential education has to change the lives of disadvantaged young people.” Stuart says.  

She brings to VIU an extensive background in human services, with particular interest in the concerns and challenges of young people and Indigenous peoples; and has maintained an active research agenda focused on applied, community-engaged research which enhances service quality and the personal, relational approach to change. Stuart has authored two books, as well as many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Stuart will use her expertise to promote the development of scholarly activity with a very unique approach to teaching and research.

“I’m looking forward to furthering the work of the Academic Plan which will guide VIU into the next phase of our development as a unique regional university. The vision expressed in that plan: to inspire local communities and the people of coastal BC through our commitment to excellence in learning, student success, respectful discourse, Indigenous ways of knowing and personal well-being, which sets the direction for our future work,” she adds.

Dr. Stuart has dedicated her career to working in higher education, having been with VIU since 2011 as Dean of the Faculty of Health and Human Services before taking on the role of Associate Vice-President, Academic. Previously, she held academic appointments at MacEwan University, the University of Victoria and at Ryerson University.

She holds degrees from Queen’s University (BPHE Physical and Health Education and BA Psychology); the University of Alberta (M.Ed. Counselling Psychology); and the University of Victoria (PhD in Psychological Foundations).  

When not working Dr. Stuart can be found on the water paddling, or in the forest camping or running the trails.

Dr. Stuart begins her new role on July 1, 2018