Laurentian University’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Yves Pelletier to the position of Associate Vice-President, Academic and Francophone Affairs effective August 1, 2018, for a five-year renewable term.
“Dr. Pelletier is a seasoned leader and strategic thinker in the post-secondary education sector with a demonstrated commitment to improving the availability and the quality of French-language academic programs,” said Laurentian University Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost Dr. Serge Demers. “He brings to the role extensive experience, recognized expertise and unmatched leadership qualities.”
Born and raised in Sudbury, Dr. Pelletier has made significant contributions to the post-secondary sector over the past 20 years. Since 2013, Dr. Pelletier worked directly with post-secondary institutions across the country to support new strategic directions and lead inclusive and engaging change management and business planning processes. He managed the overall post-secondary sector as the Assistant Deputy Minister for Post-Secondary Education in New Brunswick. He tested promising practices to remove barriers to accessing post-secondary education for the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. He also promoted academic research and expanded research opportunities at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Dr. Pelletier has served on numerous post-secondary education boards and committees, notably the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, the Consortium national de la formation en santé and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. He holds undergraduate degrees from Laurentian and the University of Ottawa, a master’s degree from the University of Ottawa as well as a PhD in History from Queen’s University. Dr. Pelletier has served on the Laurentian’s Board of Governors and the Executive Committee of the University’s Alumni Association.
“I look forward to returning to Sudbury and joining the dynamic team at Laurentian,” said Dr. Pelletier. “I am honoured for the opportunity and thank the University for entrusting me to lead this important portfolio.”
The appointment of Dr. Pelletier was recommended after an extensive search by a 12-member search committee composed of Board members, faculty, students and administrators.
Dr. David Lesbarrères, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, had been acting as Interim Associate Vice-President, Academic and Francophone Affairs since August 1, 2017. “The University joins me in thanking Dr. Lesbarrères for taking on additional responsibilities over the past year,” added Demers. “His efforts have allowed the division to continue to promote outreach and development of Laurentian’s Francophonie at the institution and beyond.”