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Algoma University welcomes new vice-president of academic and research

Dr. Michele Piercey-Normore will start in the position on May 1, 2022
2022-03-09 - AU VP
Dr. Michele Piercey-Normore brings more than 20 years of experience to her new role as vice-president of academic and research at Algoma University.

SAULT STE. MARIE — March 9, 2022: Algoma University is pleased to announce that, following an extensive national executive search process led by KBRS, Dr. Michele Piercey-Normore will join the Algoma University community as vice-president academic and research commencing on May 1, 2022.

Dr. Piercey-Normore brings with her more than 20 years of research and teaching experience within the professorial ranks and 12 years of progressive administrative experience at two multi-campus universities, including the roles of associate dean and associate head with the University of Manitoba followed by dean of the School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University.

Dr. Piercey-Normore brings with her an impressive research record completing her PhD at Memorial, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Duke University, North Carolina, a post-doctoral fellowship at Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., and eventually, over time, full professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. She has supervised a wide diversity of PhD and Master's students over the years and has a passion for involving undergraduate students in research early in their program. She has received several awards and grants for her research over the years including 12 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grants.

An advocate of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Dr. Piercey-Normore established an EDI committee for the School of Science and the Environment at Grenfell Campus and implemented unconscious bias training for hiring and other committees throughout the institution. Dr. Piercey-Normore has demonstrated through her own research and leadership collaborations the ability to develop relationships with different First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

“I am very much looking forward to joining Algoma University at this exciting time in its evolution,” shared Dr. Piercey-Normore. “The opportunity to lead and support, through the VPAR role, the University’s commitments to 1) advance Indigenous and equity, diversity and inclusion within all aspects of university culture to promote social justice and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; 2) integration of academic programs and research with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to cultivate cross-cultural learning, and 3) the opportunity to work alongside the current vice-presidents to emphasize a student-centred approach to provide students with the best possible education to meet their interests is what has drawn me to Algoma University.”\

About Algoma University

Algoma University, established in Sault Ste. Marie in 1965, offers a wide range of degrees and certificates spanning the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. The university also offers programming at campus locations in Brampton and Timmins. Algoma University has a Special Mission to cultivate cross-cultural learning between Indigenous populations and other communities. For more information, please visit www.algomau.ca.