Dear Colleagues,
It is with great excitement, President Preece and I are writing to announce that Dr. Melanie Spence-Ariemma has accepted our offer to take on the position of Provost and Vice-President, Academic. Her promotion to become Sheridan’s next chief academic officer will be effective August 7, 2018. Both Mary and I share a steadfast and heartfelt conviction that there is no other individual more ideally suited for this role.
A true lifelong learner and champion of growth mindset, Melanie earned a B.Sc. from McMaster University, a M.R.T. in Radiation Therapy from Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre, a B.Ed. from Brock University, an M.A. from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University.
Melanie also has a deep understanding of what it means to be both an administrator and an academic. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the joint program between the University of Toronto and the Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences and Laurentian University and the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, the joint program between Mohawk College and McMaster University and at Niagara University. She held various and progressive leadership positions at post-secondary institutions in Ontario prior to joining Sheridan in 2010 as an Associate Dean in the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Since that time, Melanie has served Sheridan as the Dean, Academic Strategic Planning and Development (CTL), and Associate Vice-President, Academic Quality. She was appointed to her current role as Vice-Provost in 2015 and, in that capacity, oversees all of the Academic Faculties, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Centre for Organizational and People Development, Library and Learning Services. Further, she provides leadership and support across a wide array of academic matters, including policy development, enrolment management, quality assurance, teaching excellence, pathways and partnerships.
Melanie served as a primary and trusted advisor to both Mary and I throughout our terms as Provost. She knows this job and will have an immediate, positive impact in the role. Above and beyond her noteworthy academic credentials and leadership experience, Melanie is incredibly bright, generous with her time, and approachable; no leader comes to meetings better prepared or more willing to listen. These qualities have garnered great praise from faculty and staff at Sheridan who have come to trust her knowledge and strategic foresight.
Please join us in congratulating Melanie as she embarks on this new challenge. She is uniquely positioned to provide our learning community with stability, continuity and inspiration as we work collaboratively and collegially to advance Sheridan’s bold new Academic Plan.
Janet Morrison
Provost and Vice President, Academic