WINDSOR, Ont. — The University of Windsor’s Board of Governors approved today the appointment of Dr. J.J. (John-Justin) McMurtry as the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor, following an extensive search led by a committee that included Senate and Board of Governors representation.
Dr. McMurtry’s appointment will take effect September 1, 2025, following the retirement of President Robert Gordon. Dr. Gordon has served as President and Vice-Chancellor since 2019 and will conclude his term after six years of dedicated and transformative leadership.
Dr. McMurtry currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS) at York University, one of the largest faculties in Canada, with more than 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 90 programs. A full professor and long-time academic leader, he brings to the University of Windsor a deep commitment to equity, innovation, and excellence in higher education.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. McMurtry as the next President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Windsor,” said Carolyn Brown, Chair of the University’s Board of Governors. “His vision, leadership, and commitment to student success and research excellence align with our aspirations for the future. We are confident that he will build on our momentum and lead UWindsor into an exciting new chapter of innovation, impact, and community engagement.”
Dr. McMurtry holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Social and Political Thought from York University, and an Honours BA in History and Philosophy from the University of Guelph. He has held graduate faculty appointments at institutions including OISE, the University of Toronto, Cape Breton University, and Wilfrid Laurier University.
During his tenure at York, Dr. McMurtry led a broad range of initiatives focused on student support, curriculum innovation, and research excellence and growth. Under his leadership, LA&PS has secured multi-million dollar advancement donations to support student success and research, achieved financial growth and stability through the pandemic, and launched major academic campaigns, including launching multiple new programs and curriculum, and ongoing campaigns for endowed Chairs focused on research in Indigenous and diasporic communities.
Throughout his academic career, Dr. McMurtry has personally maintained an active presence in research and curriculum development, particularly in the areas of cooperative studies, alternative energy, economic theory and practice, and the social and solidarity economy.
“It is with great excitement, humility, and purpose that I step into this role as President and into the Windsor-Essex community” said Dr. McMurtry. “In an era of profound and disruptive transformation in higher education, I remain steadfast in my belief in the enduring power of the University, and the University of Windsor particularly, to illuminate minds, shape society, create meaningful change, and inspire future generations of engaged citizenry focused on the greater good.”
The University of Windsor community will have opportunities to meet Dr. McMurtry during campus visits and town halls in the months leading up to his formal installation.