Student-managed venture capital fund invests in Quebec-based online insurance distributor

The 2022 Venture Grade: Student Venture Capital Fund team.

An innovative Quebec-based online insurance distributor that removes barriers and offers affordable plans to young parents has received a boost from a student-run venture capital fund at Saint Mary’s University.

Venture Grade: Student Venture Capital Fund, a student-raised and managed venture capital fund, invested $12,500 in Quebec-based Emma Labs. Emma Labs is an online insurance distributor that focuses on distributing low-barrier life insurance, specifically targeted to younger demographics between the ages of 29 – 40 years of age, who have young children or are expecting children. To make life insurance more accessible and affordable, Emma Labs has removed cumbersome barriers to entry such as mandatory health checks, five to seven week wait times, and the requirement to speak to an insurance broker to streamline their process. In their role as an insurance distributor, they offer plans on behalf of insurance carriers.

The fund’s first investment outside of Atlantic Canada, Venture Grade chose to invest in the Quebec City start-up based on both company and market attributes. The company CEO and co-founder Felix Deschatelets is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in financing and marketing financial services start-ups. CMO and co-founder Jacomo Deschatelets has substantial experience in growth marketing strategies and financial security advisory.

“In terms of market attributes, the life insurance market is projected to grow over the next few years giving proven market demand,” says Hiro Tsuchiya, an associate investment analyst at Venture Grade.  “We expect that Emma Labs will add significant value to our investment portfolio as it has excellent exit prospects.”

Founded in 2016, Venture Grade is a venture capital fund raised and managed by graduate and undergraduate students attending Saint Mary’s University located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nick Perrin, the Fund’s General Partner noted that Venture Grade liaises with Silicon Valley’s C100 group, Boston’s Canadian Entrepreneurs in New England, and most of the Atlantic VC funds like Innovacorp, Build Ventures, Sandpiper, NBIF, East Valley, Last 40, and Concrete.

“The Venture Grade student venture capital fund is designed to formulate a win-win-win scenario,” says Dr. Ellen Farrell, co-founder of Venture Grade and a professor at Saint Mary’s Sobey School of Business.   “The fund contributors win by providing great opportunities for an unparalleled education experience; the students win by gaining scholastic opportunities not offered elsewhere; and the entrepreneurial ecosystem wins by having the funds go to worthwhile ventures in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

A place for possibility: the new Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre

Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre team members review and discuss the building plans. From right to left: Jada Joseph, Project Manager; Natasha Fernandes, Student Project Assistant; Michael Sanderson, Director and Chirag Narang, Project Manager.

Saint Mary's University has a rich history of fostering economic growth in Atlantic Canada and the people who are the driving force behind it, and its Sobey School of Business is synonymous with entrepreneurial success. More than 75 start-ups have been created by Saint Mary’s students, faculty members, alumni and partners in the past five years alone.  

Building on this strong track record of helping launch new businesses, and with the generous support of the university’s donors and supporters, the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC) is preparing to move into its new home in the Sobeys Inspiration Hub. Set to open in fall 2023, this 43,000-square-foot four-storey building is the cornerstone of a 62,000-square-foot capital project that extends from the Sobey School of Business to the Loyola Academic Building.  

"We envision a space that provides a full suite of services that enable students to take a start-up or business idea from concept to actualization—all in one place on campus," says Michael Sanderson, the Director of SMUEC. " We are a place for people to come together and develop entrepreneurial skills that can help further their studies and career. 

With a focus on growth, innovation and cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset, the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre is committed to helping the Atlantic Canadian economy grow and prosper. A university-wide and interdisciplinary support centre, SMUEC's physical expansion will support the vast array of programming, such as training, mentorship and coaching, offered by the centre and provide the foundation to expand and fill the growing demand for their services. 
 
“I am so honoured to have been supporting students through their entrepreneurial experiences over the past two years,” says Shannon Byrne Susko BCom’89 BSc’92, a former Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Saint Mary’s and the Founder and CEO of Metronomics. “The new space for the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre will allow for further collaboration between faculties, and also bring in an additional level of innovation that we’ve been working towards with initiatives such as the March Madness Pitch Competition.” 

As the Sobeys Inspiration Hub takes shape, so does the entrepreneurship centre’s new home. What remains constant is that a variety of opportunities that will be made available to entrepreneurial-minded students and faculty from across all faculties. 

The services envisioned include: 

• digital prototyping lab 

  • This area will be dedicated to digital product design, enabling students to ideate and create prototypes in a virtual environment using state-of-the-art prototyping software. 

• podcasting studio 

  • From weekly podcasts to influencer videos, this space is open for booking to support students creating original content for online audiences. 

• collider spaces 

  • Open collaboration spaces that are modular and feature additional smaller areas to focus on different styles of collaboration and projects. 

• incubator space 

  • A start-up area dedicated to supporting local community businesses and emerging entrepreneurs as they move on from the idea phase.  

• dedicated interdisciplinary space.  

"While the exact nature and dedicated areas may change, we are focused on providing opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community to come together and exchange ideas," shares Sanderson. 

Alumni and the local community play a critical role in the support and services provided by the SMUEC. From the entrepreneurs and alumni-in-residence programs supported through the philanthropic investment of the RBC Talent Hub to guest speakers and mentorship, SMUEC connects students with the larger community. Through co-operative education and internship placements, training, Entrepreneurial Mindset Success Certificate, and experts, the RBC Talent Hub provides students more hands-on learning opportunities. The skills developed through this program give students a leg up in the job hunt and help them to excel in the workplace post-graduation.  

"From my time as a student to now working at the entrepreneurship centre, our alumni and connection with the local entrepreneurship community have been so important to supporting students," says Leslie Arsenault Bcomm’19, Project Manager with SMUEC. "I've seen student-led businesses receive key advice from community mentors at vital times in their growth. I've heard from students and alumni whose careers and businesses wouldn't exist without what they learned at Saint Mary's University and the support they received from SMUEC."  

"We are excited to create new memories and opportunities for collaboration and innovation," says Monique Boudreau, the Manager of Operations and Community Engagement with SMUEC. "We've received great feedback and insights from different university areas to get to this stage, and we are incredibly grateful for that support. We can't wait to celebrate the opening of the Sobeys Inspiration Hub, the Exchange and the new entrepreneurship centre." 

Read the 2022 Advancement & External Affairs Report

The Office of Advancement and External Affairs is proud to share the 2022 Advancement & External Affairs Report.

This report highlights the programs and projects behind our alumni engagement, fundraising, government relations and external affairs results and successes and their impact on the university.

The Office of Advancement and External Affairs facilitates engagement from our local and global community in philanthropic action to invest, share and celebrate the success of Saint Mary’s University.

We are truly grateful for the commitment, dedication and support of everyone on campus and this work would not be possible without your involvement in a multitude of ways throughout the year.

Thanks to the active engagement of our community and the incredible generosity of our donors, we celebrate another successful year at Saint Mary’s University.

President Robert Summerby-Murray awarded Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

Lieutenant Governor Arthur J. LeBlanc and Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to share the news that President, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for ‘exceptional qualities and outstanding service to our Province in the field of Education.’    

The award was presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, KC, at a ceremony held at Government House on October 18, 2022. The commemorative medal is presented in honour of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s succession to the throne and is awarded to residents of Nova Scotia who have made significant contributions to Canada, Nova Scotia, their community, or to their fellow citizens.  

Throughout his decades-long career and since joining Saint Mary’s University as President in 2015, Dr. Summerby-Murray has been a noted champion of higher education in Canada and abroad. He is active on the boards of Universities Canada, the Association of Atlantic Universities, the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents, Atlantic University Sports, and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation Presidents’ Cohort Group on ‘Universities and Social Infrastructure’. Recently, he has focused on initiatives to support veteran-friendly campuses and to prevent racism on campus through participation in national initiatives such as the BlackNorth Initiative education committee and the Scarborough National Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Inclusion. He has just completed a two-year term as board chair of the Canadian Bureau of International Education and remains committed to international education and the global nature of the academy. 

The entire Saint Mary’s University community joins with Dr. Summerby-Murray and his family in celebrating his contributions to education and community and this well-deserved recognition.  

Saint Mary’s University welcomes the new Chair & Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors

Alan R. Abraham, Jr. BComm'80, Chair of the Saint Mary's University Board of Governors.

Saint Mary's University is pleased to share that Alan R. Abraham, Jr. BComm'80 is the new Chair of the Saint Mary's University Board of Governors. Abraham is joined by newly elected Vice-Chair, Mark Gosine BA'95.

The Vice-President at ReGroup, Alan Abraham has over 25 years of management and operational experience in the waste and recycling industry and a background in long-distance and public warehousing. He established Green Waste Systems in 1989 and grew it into a full-service company with over 20 trucks operating in Halifax until its acquisition by Royal Environmental Group, where he continues to lead the environmental services division. Abraham is a proud Saint Mary's University alum whose commitment to community service has involved him on various boards and associations.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Saint Mary's University community," says Abraham. "I intend to continue advancing Saint Mary's role as an exemplar in social and community leadership, which has always been core to who we are. Thank you to my fellow Board Members for your votes of confidence in me and my commitment to this great institution. It is an honour."

Mark Gosine BA’95, K.C., ICD.D, Vice-Chair of the Saint Mary's University Board of Governors.

Mark Gosine, K.C., ICD.D is an internationally experienced strategic executive and lawyer with a proven track record for facilitating growth through the execution of complex global transactions.  Mark has extensive legal experience both in private practice and in-house, and works closely with boards and management teams on strategic planning, exploring growth opportunities, and risk management.  Mark serves as strategic legal advisor to Mint Road Ltd., IoM Media and Meta Material Inc.  Previously, Mark played a key role in the international growth of WildBrain (formerly DHX Media) where he was Executive Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. 

"I am proud to welcome Alan Abraham as our new Board Chair," says Saint Mary's University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Alan and our new Vice-Chair Mark Gosine have long been supporters of our university and bring extensive experience across a variety of sectors to the table. They have shown incredible passion and dedication to our university and its mission. Thank you both for your commitment to Saint Mary's University."

Wicked Problems Lab Research Awards for Students: Apply by Nov 11

The Wicked Problems Lab is offering funding and assistance for Saint Mary’s students in addressing issues at home and around the world.  

Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to pitch their ideas to tackle wicked problems. Proposals will be evaluated on the aptness of the issue and the feasibility of the plan to address it. 

Four awards are available:

• 2 x $2500 for undergraduate students

• 2 x $2500 for graduate students

All applicants are invited to use the Wicked Problems Lab’s resources, including workstations, software and research analyst throughout the year. 

The LeaderVision Atlantic Wicked Problems Awards are generously funded by SMU alumnus Douglas Coll.

Students must register their intention to apply by November 11 using the following link:   

https://forms.office.com/r/5iZvJPqQGg

Saint Mary's University rises to third in the nation according to Maclean's rankings

Saint Mary's University's investments in students, faculty and programming have propelled the university to third in Canada for the 2023 Maclean's University Rankings undergraduate category. For the second successive year, Saint Mary's University is the top-ranked primarily undergraduate university in Nova Scotia. 

"Saint Mary's University continues to excel, propelling the increased recognition of our institution's national and international prominence," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Our first-place ranking in student awards and second-place in scholarships and bursaries directly reflects our focused investments in student supports. While we recognize the significance of achieving our highest ever ranking, we will continue to focus on building the best undergraduate experience for our students." 

The Saint Mary’s University campus in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Over the past several years, Saint Mary's has climbed the rankings and maintained the fourth-place ranking for two consecutive years before finishing third this year. 

Supporting students is a priority for Saint Mary's, and the university has invested significantly in scholarships, fellowships and bursaries over the past five years. Since 2018, the university has more than doubled its investment in student scholarships, fellowships and bursaries, rising from $6.8 million to $15.7 million. This unprecedented level of support has positioned the university as the top-ranked primarily undergraduate institution for student awards and second place for scholarships and bursaries. The university ranked second in library acquisitions, which includes an institution's commitment to updating its collection and digital access—the creation and distribution of knowledge that is the foundation of a university's purpose.   

"At Saint Mary's, community is at the heart of all that we do," adds President Summerby-Murray. "We know success requires our entire community's time, talent, passion and commitment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Santamarian community—our students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors. We continue to rise and achieve excellence through your support and efforts." 

---

Information for future students

Learn about the wide range of programs available at Saint Mary’s, including undergraduate, graduate and professional development.

Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month at Saint Mary's

October is Mi’kmaq History Month! All month long, communities across Nova Scotia hosts activities, educational sessions and events that showcase the Mi’kmaq history. Nova Scotia are encouraged to attend events and increase their knowledge of Mi’kmaq culture, history and heritage.

Mi’kmaq History Month Committee, lead in the interim by the The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, draws on the expertise of representatives from the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities and organizations, as well as the Federal and Provincial governments.

See the list below for events and resources

Events

On-Campus Mawio'mi

Sunday, October 2
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Our Wikewiku's (October) Kick-off Mawio'mi was on Sunday, October 2nd, from 11 am-3 pm, in the Homburg Gym to celebrate Treaty Day and kick off Mi'kmaq History Month! Everyone was welcome, and we encouraged you to wear orange for residential school survivors, victims, and their descendants. Please keep in mind this is a drug and alcohol-free event as it is a sacred gathering. Students, faculty, and alumni were welcome to wear their regalia and join us on the dance arena when instructed by the Master of Ceremonies, Aaron Prosper.

Check out images from the event!

Free Film Screening: Is the Crown at War with us?

Friday, October 21
1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Join us for a free screening and discussion of Alanis Obomsawin’s film, Is the Crown at War with Us?, documenting the 2000 Mi’kmaw fishery crisis in Burnt Church, NB.

Resources and related links:

The Patrick Power Library will display a collection of books and videos for learning more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Mi’kmaq History Month. These collections are available online and in-person, and all items on display can be borrowed. The in-person display will include an interactive element that asks people to reflect on the meaning of truth and reconciliation. All are welcome to participate!

Saint Mary’s Indigenous Community

Mi’kmaq History Month

Saint Mary’s research into sustainable agriculture and more efficient 3D modeling receives federal funding

The Science Building at Saint Mary’s University.

Research into sustainable agriculture and more data-efficient 3D modeling will benefit from newly announced federal funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).

Funding for biology researcher Dr. David Chiasson will allow him to explore sustainable agriculture practices in a project titled “Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume plants.”  

Dr. David Chiasson

“A central goal of sustainable agricultural practice is to provide nutritious food and plant products while minimizing the impact on the environment,” says Dr. Chiasson. “Legume plants such as beans, alfalfa, and clover are a key component of sustainable agriculture since they do not require nitrogen fertilizer for growth. This unique group of plants forms a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria called rhizobia. Rhizobia can convert nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into nitrogen fertilizer for the plant in a process termed nitrogen fixation. This association therefore reduces the need for applied nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture.”

The production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers consumes vast quantities of fossil fuels, and their application leads to negative environmental outcomes such as greenhouse gas emissions and contaminated water resources. Coupled with the rising price of fertilizers, farmers are increasingly turning to legumes as a sustainable means of adding nitrogen to the soil.  

“The long-term goal of this project is to increase the productivity of legume plants,” explains Dr. Chiasson. “This research will provide the knowledge base for strategies aimed to reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural sector while increasing the productivity of our crops. An improved understanding of the nitrogen-fixation symbiosis is both timely and essential as we move towards a future of more environmentally responsible farming practices in Canada.”

Dr. Jiju Poovvancheri, a researcher in the mathematics and computing science department, received funding for a project titled “Research Infrastructure for Large-scale 3D Geometry Acquisition and Modeling.”  

“The CFI fund will be used to set up the lab and purchase research equipment including an AI server, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanner and high-performance workstations capable of acquiring and processing large-scale three-dimensional data,” says Dr. Poovvancheri.

Dr. Jiju Poovvancheri

Current practices in city modeling include acquiring raw measurements of the physical world using LiDAR sensors and turning the sensor data into three dimensional meshes. Large-scale meshes created in this manner normally contain trillions of triangles, putting a huge burden on rendering, data transfer and storage of applications. Furthermore, most of the reconstructed meshes lack geometric details and therefore do not represent a good choice for 3D navigation, and AR/VR.  

“High fidelity digital representations of cities are essential for modern-day applications such as urban planning, 3D navigation, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR),” explains Dr. Poovvancheri. “This project aims at bridging existing gaps in urban modeling pipeline by developing an AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven urban modeling software ecosystem consisting of algorithms, tools, and data for creating lightweight and highly detailed 3D urban models.”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced more than $64 million to support 251 research infrastructure projects at 40 universities across Canada.

Competition to solve freshwater issues begins in Atlantic Canada

Field sampling is an important part of the work Environmental Science students do in classes and in research work with professors. Photo Credit: Dr. Linda Campbell

A competition to solve Atlantic Canadian water issues through technology, innovation and entrepreneurship begins this week. The competition is organized by AquaAction in partnership with Saint Mary’s University. 

“We are excited to bring the AquaHacking Challenge back to Atlantic Canada,” says Dr. Anne-Pascale Richardson, AquaHacking Challenge Program Manager at AquaAction. “AquaAction’s mission is to restore freshwater health in North America. We do this by engaging with local communities to empower talented young innovators and support them as they work to improve freshwater in their region. The first Atlantic Canada AquaHacking Challenge was a great success, and we look forward to this year’s competition.” 

Atlantic Canada is home to a spectacular system of dynamic freshwater and marine environments. Water is core to ecosystems and communities across the region. The Atlantic Canada AquaHacking Challenge brings students, developers, designers, scientists, programmers, engineers, technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs together to form interdisciplinary teams to tackle different freshwater challenges facing these important ecosystems. 

The issues they’ll be focusing on are:  

1. Innovations for alteration projects in Lakes and Rivers
   Water Issue Leader: Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change - Water Branch

2. Affordable Automated Water Quality Monitoring
   Water Issue Leader: Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.

3. Saltwater Intrusion
   Water Issue Leader: Clean Foundation’s Clean Coasts team

4. Aquatic Invasive species
   Water Issue Leader: Coastal Action

5. Green Infrastructure (Stormwater Prevention)
   Water Issue Leader: ACAP Saint John

“AquaHacking is the type of interdisciplinary competition that allows students and young people to apply their knowledge to practical, real-world situations,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC). “We are proud to partner with AquaAction to bring this great competition back to Atlantic Canada.” 

Participants should have an interest in problem solving, collaborating with students from various faculties and applying innovative solutions to bring impactful change to communities in the Atlantic region. They are required to be between 18-35 years of age, a resident of Canada within the Atlantic region and enrolled in a post-secondary institution or be a recent graduate. The entire team doesn’t need to be residing in the Atlantic region, but the majority of the team should be within the Atlantic region.  

“Our students are excited and ready to challenge the freshwater issues facing Atlantic Canada,” says Adam Khamis, the Project Coordinator of Skills, Development and Training with SMUEC. “This competition is a dynamic blend of entrepreneurship, social action and science that offers students a unique opportunity to work with people in areas they may not otherwise have discovered.”  

After working on their pitches for nine months, all teams will have the opportunity to pitch their solution during the AquaHacking semi-final event. The top teams are selected from these pitches to go on to phase two of the program.  These finalists receive $2,000 to support the continuation of their work as they refine their solution in preparation for their pitch at the AquaHacking finale. All five finalist teams are winners, receiving kick-start business training, leadership training, a spot in a local incubator, Lavery Lawyers credits and seed funding based on their final ranking. 

For more information about the challenge, how to participate and the great partners that support the competition, visit https://aquaaction.org/challenge/atlantic-canada-2022-23/.  

About AquaAction 

AquaAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the health of freshwater by engaging young innovators in solutions creation and supporting the activation of their technologies. Its flagship program is the AquaHacking Challenge, a tech innovation competition which aims to engage university students in developing new solutions to water issues. Recently AquaAction developed the AquaHacking alumni and AquaEntrepreneur Québec. Across Canada, 36 water technology startups have emerged from the Challenge. AquaAction was established by the De Gaspé Beaubien Foundation in 2015, is powered by the RBC Foundation since 2018, accelerated by Ovivo since 2017 and supported by several partners including IBM Canada, Lavery Lawyers, and Mitacs. 

Celebrating UN International Day of Peace at Saint Mary's

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed worldwide on September 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. Achieving true peace requires that all of the societies and their members feel as though they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.

The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” Saint Mary’s University invites students, faculty and the community to work towards a world without racism or racial discrimination. We hope to see a world of peace, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Several units on campus worked together to prepare events to mark this day. See the list below for events and resources.

Poetry and Peace

Kimberly M. King, RSCJ, Director of Barat Spirituality Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.   

Patrick Power Library 
Room LI135 
9:30–10:30 a.m. 

Join Kimberly M. King, RSCJ, Director of Barat Spirituality Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her keen passion for language and its possibilities makes her a translator, as well as a writer of the blog of poetry and essays for the last fifteen years. At one time a teacher of literature and religion as well as being a librarian, Kim has also recently hosted the podcast For the Sake Of.

Progress and Possibilities for Peace: 
Youth perspectives from Northern Ireland to Nova Scotia and beyond

Presented by Peaceful Schools International 
Virtual Conference 
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 

Register at: psiconferences@gmail.com 

Making Peace

Atrium 340 
2:30–4 p.m. 

Join us for this panel discussion about how we all have a role to play in fostering peace. Moderated by Dr. Rohini Bannerjee and featuring guests: 

• Dr. Catherine Baillie Abidi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Study at Mount Saint Vincent University with over 20 years of peacebuilding, violence prevention, and humanitarian experience. 

• Shahrzad, a graduate student from Iran in the Faculty of Education at Saint Mary’s University, certified meditation teacher and reiki specialist. 

• Renée Babin, Saint Mary’s University alumni and an MPA/JD candidate at Dalhousie University, is actively involved in entrepreneurship with the aspiration to spread knowledge and provide equitable practices. 

Film screening: Peace by Chocolate
Scotiabank Theatre 
6:30 p.m. 

Based on Tareq Hadad family’s true story, Jonathan Keijser’s narrative feature debut encompasses the themes of immigration, refugees from a war-torn country, the power of food to bring people together and the “Canadian Dream” of growing a small business, one PEACE of chocolate at a time.  

Trailer: https://peacebychocolate.ca/blogs/news/our-movie-trailer-officially-released

Dr. Madine VanderPlaat Appointed Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research

Dr. Madine VanderPlaat

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce that Dr. Madine VanderPlaat has been appointed as Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research.

“Dr. VanderPlaat brings considerable experience and institutional knowledge and is a strong voice for teaching excellence and research accomplishment,” says Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice Chancellor. “Her understanding of the university and the trust and confidence she engenders in the university community will be definite assets in the conduct of her duties. I have no doubt that Dr. VanderPlaat will succeed in this new role.”

Madine VanderPlaat is a Professor of Sociology whose research focus is on marginalized populations, citizen participation, social inclusion and community resilience. She has extensive experience working in multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral research environments at both the national and international level. Dr. VanderPlaat has served on a wide range of university and Senate committees including the University Appointments, Review and Budget Committees and the Senate Curriculum, Regulations, Academic Integrity and Academic Planning Committees.  Her administrative experience at Saint Mary’s includes Chair of Sociology & Criminology, Associate Dean of Arts, Acting Dean of Arts, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Enrolment Management and Acting Vice-President, Academic and Research.  She was the Chair of Senate 2017-2019 and is currently the Academic Discipline Officer.

Dr. VanderPlaat’s mandate is to focus on enrolment growth, curricular and teaching innovation, and supporting the strengthening of the university’s research capacities. She began her two-year term on September 7, 2022.