YukonU updates executive leadership team 

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lesley Brown has announced several changes to the roles and structure of the senior team leading the Canada’s first university north of 60.

Dr. Shelagh Rowles has accepted a three-year appointment to the position of Provost and Vice-President Academic. Dr. Rowles holds an Interdisciplinary Ph.D from the University of Saskatchewan in the field of history, public policy, and innovation and has been with the university since 1991.

Dr. Rowles will be responsible for institutional planning and administration in all aspects of academic operations, including research and scholarship. From running community campuses to developing programs collaboratively with Yukon First Nations, communities and industry, to serving as the executive director of the Centre for Northern Innovation and Mining since 2012, Dr. Rowles brings a breadth of knowledge and experience of meeting the needs of northern post-secondary students to her new role.

Dr. Bronwyn Hancock has accepted the newly created position of Vice-Provost, Academic and Research. Dr. Hancock holds an Earth Sciences doctorate from the University of Waterloo and joined the university in 2010 as a climate change researcher and has served as associate vice-president Research since 2017.

As vice-provost, Dr. Hancock will broadly support the work of the Provost, serving to inform and advise the Provost on all matters related to research and scholarly activity and teaching and learning at the University, with specific emphasis on the integration of the academic and research portfolios. In her new capacity, she will continue to lead the research and innovation portfolios at Yukon University. Dr. Hancock serves as an Expert Panel member for the Council of Canadian Academies, on a report that focuses on prioritizing climate change risks. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta and Brock University.

Blake Buckle has accepted the position of Associate Vice-President, Advancement, which oversees the development, external relations, marketing and communications portfolios. Buckle is pursuing a Master of Public Administration and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Buckle joined YukonU in May 2021 as director of Development after working in the private sector and government in Yukon and NWT. He has stewarded several major gifts to the University, including a million-dollar gift in support of YukonU student success.

Vice-President Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Peter Deegan, Associate Vice-President Indigenous Engagement and Partnerships Chùsi Robin Bradasch, and University Secretary and General Counsel Gavin Gardiner form the remainder of the senior leadership team.

“The Yukon University leadership team possesses the strengths of lived, northern experience balanced with the skills and knowledge earned from corporate, government and post-secondary environments across Canada, necessary to understand and meet the needs of our students and implement our first university strategic plan, Becoming,” said Dr. Brown.

Dr. Lesley Brown joined Yukon University in August 2021 with over a decade of post-secondary leadership experience in Alberta. Dr. Brown was formally installed as president and vice-chancellor in May 2022.