Dr. Shannon Dea
Saint Mary's University is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Shannon Dea as the university's first Provost & Vice-President, Academic and Research (PVPAR). Dr. Dea will assume her new role on July 1, 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in academia.
Dr. Dea joins Saint Mary's University from the University of Regina, where she has served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts since 2020. In this role, she has been an academic leader for a faculty comprising 13 departments, 43 program options, and over 2,600 students.
Dr. Dea's academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Western University, an M.A. in Philosophy from Queen’s University and a B.A. in Philosophy and Russian from the University of Waterloo. Her scholarly work spans a wide range of topics, including academic freedom, harm reduction and feminist philosophy. She is the author of many articles and book chapters. Her book, Beyond the Binary: Thinking about Sex and Gender, now in its second edition, has been widely acclaimed for its insightful analysis and thought-provoking perspectives.
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Dea has held numerous leadership positions, including Vice-President of the Board of Trustees at the MacKenzie Art Gallery and Chair of the Western Canadian Deans of Arts, Science, and Indigenous Studies. Her commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is evident in her work, particularly in her efforts to Indigenize academic spaces and promote social justice.
Dr. Dea's appointment marks a significant milestone for Saint Mary's University as she becomes the first person to hold the newly created position of PVPAR. In this role, she will oversee the university's academic and research activities, working closely with faculty, staff, and students to enhance the university's academic excellence and research impact. The Provost and Vice-President, Academic & Research also plays a crucial role in the university budget by overseeing the allocation of resources to support academic priorities and ensuring effective management of the budget process.
"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Shannon Dea to Saint Mary's University," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary's University. "Her extensive experience, visionary leadership and deep commitment to academic excellence and social justice make her the ideal person to lead our academic and research initiatives. We look forward to the many contributions she will make to our university community."
Dr. Dea expressed her enthusiasm for joining Saint Mary's University, stating, "I am honoured to be appointed as the first Provost & Vice-President, Academic and Research at Saint Mary's University. I look forward to working with SMU’s amazing faculty, staff, and students to advance the university's mission and to foster a dynamic, equitable and inclusive academic environment."