Michael DeGagne has been appointed as president and vice-chancellor of Nipissing University. He will begin a five-year term in January and becomes the university’s seventh president. He succeeds Vicky Paine-Mantha, who has been serving as interim president since February, 2012.
“I am deeply honoured to lead this exceptional institution and look forward to working with the academic leadership and the faculty and staff to advance Nipissing University,” DeGagne said in a press release. “Over a relatively short amount of time, Nipissing has achieved a great deal, earning a reputation as a university fully committed to student success that has had a large economic and cultural impact on its communities and beyond. Being from northwestern Ontario, I believe in the North, and I believe strongly that Nipissing has a significant role to play in the future prosperity of this province.”
DeGagne brings 25 years of public sector leadership experience. His academic credentials include a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Toronto, a Masters degree in administration from Central Michigan University, and a PhD in educational administration from Michigan State University. He also earned a Master of Laws degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall.
Since 1998, he has been the executive director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. From 1988 to 1998, he served as an executive with provincial and federal agencies including director, accounting operations, and senior negotiator with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. He also served as director, First Nations and Inuit Health Programs for Health Canada. Currently, DeGagne is the chairman of the Child Welfare League of Canada and is a member of the board of directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
.jpeg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
