About the Position

Chancellor: Dr. Mary Jo Haddad, CM, LLD, MHSc, BScN

Chancellor Position Profile and Criteria

Located in the heart of Canada’s Border City, the University of Windsor combines excellence in teaching, research, and professional practice with a commitment to build stronger communities, to treat people with respect and dignity, and to address pressing societal needs. We put students first by creating a culture of support and success that enhances teaching and learning. We emphasize independent learning, interdisciplinary opportunities, and flexibility in degree completion pathways in a highly supportive environment. We are a comprehensive, progressive university of approximately 16,000 students, where the challenges of communities and of a world in transition inform the education we provide, the research we do, and the creative endeavours we pursue.

Role and Responsibilities

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and confers all degrees and diplomas on behalf of Senate. The Chancellor also represents the University in an official capacity at external functions from time to time.

The Chancellor is expected to preside over a minimum of ten Convocation sessions in June and a minimum of two in October. While this is the most significant time commitment, the Chancellor also will be expected to represent the University on other ceremonial occasions and to participate in promotion and fundraising. The time commitment can be considerable. The Chancellor must be willing and able to commit to the expectations of the position.

The position is voluntary, with a four-year renewable term, unremunerated except for expenses.

Candidate Profile

The Chancellor performs a strong leadership role and acts as an ambassador for the University, advancing the University’s interests locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. The Chancellor, therefore, should be an outstanding role model to members of the University, should be able to relate to donors and friends of the University, and should have the public stature and gravitas to represent the University of Windsor with integrity and passion.

The individual should not have been Chancellor at another university or be in a conflict or apparent conflict of commitment between a duty to the University of Windsor and another postsecondary educational institution.

Selection Criteria:

  • Possesses a high public profile, whose prominence will confer prestige upon the University
  • Is distinguished in their profession
  • Has stature, charisma, and gravitas
  • Has a strong commitment to the position and an ability to champion the University in diverse settings and with perse groups
  • Is dedicated to higher education in general and the University of Windsor in particular
  • Can relate well to students
  • Brings a key network of contacts to advance the University and is engaged in fundraising and friend-raising, as needed
  • Is an articulate and effective communicator and public speaker, comfortable in a wide variety of public and private settings and diverse audiences
  • Has a demonstrated commitment to equity, excellence, diversity, and inclusion, and to providing leadership in the contexts of diversity
  • Has experience building and maintaining connections with people and organizations
  • Can work closely with the President to raise the profile of the University
  • Can serve as a confidant(e) and provide sound advice to the President

Previous affiliation with the University would be regarded as an asset.

Commitment to Equity

The University of Windsor is a comprehensive research and teaching institution with more than 15,500 students. We are a welcoming community committed to equity and diversity in our teaching, learning, and work environments. In keeping with the University’s commitment to equity and diversity, the Search Committee encourages individuals to nominate members from the designated groups (Women, Aboriginal Peoples, Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, and Sexual/Gender Minorities).