Toronto, Ontario, June 27, 2025 – One of Canada’s largest pan-Canadian private universities, Yorkville University is proud to announce the appointment of three distinguished academic leaders who are joining the school in senior leadership roles.
Yorkville is welcoming Dr. Eileen De Courcy as Provost, Dr. Nora Houlahan as Principal and Vice President, Academic for British Columbia and Dr. Michelle Grimes as Vice President, Academic, and Campus Principal in New Brunswick. The three additions — each offering a wealth of experience from significant Canadian public institutions — reflect Yorkville’s growing reputation as a destination for top-tier academic talent and its commitment to innovation, excellence and student-centered learning.
“These appointments underscore the calibre of academic leadership Yorkville University continues to attract,” said Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, President and Vice Chancellor. “Each of these leaders brings deep experience from Canada’s public post-secondary system and a shared commitment to advancing student success, academic excellence, and inclusive learning environments.”
Dr. Eileen De Courcy joins YU as Provost, following her tenure as Vice President, Academic at George Brown College. A visionary leader in curriculum innovation and academic transformation, Dr. De Courcy has held senior roles at St. Lawrence College and Humber Polytechnic. At George Brown, she led the development of the institution’s Academic Plan, advanced the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, and initiated the College’s first Master’s-level program proposal. Her leadership in academic integrity, Indigenous curriculum and work-integrated learning has positioned her as a national thought leader in post-secondary education.
Dr. Nora Houlahan has been appointed Principal & Vice President, Academic, for British Columbia. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, most recently as Vice President, Education & Training, at Aurora College. There, she oversaw all post-secondary and trades programming and led initiatives rooted in reconciliation and community engagement. Her previous roles at the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia reflect a career dedicated to transformational change and applied learning. Dr. Houlahan’s leadership aligns with YU’s mission to deliver accessible, innovative education that empowers diverse learners.
Dr. Michelle Grimes joins as Vice President, Academic, and Campus Principal in New Brunswick. With more than 17 years in higher education, Dr. Grimes most recently served as Executive Dean of the School of Business at Conestoga College, where she led more than 50 programs and 500 employees across six campuses. Her leadership was instrumental in securing AACSB accreditation, launching new degrees and applied master’s programs, and embedding sustainability and SDG principles across curricula. She has also held senior roles at Mohawk College and Seneca Polytechnic, and her work has been recognized with awards for institutional leadership and innovation.
Together, Drs. De Courcy, Houlahan and Grimes will help shape the next chapter of Yorkville University’s growth and innovation, reinforcing its position as a preeminent teaching and learning institution in Canada.
About Yorkville University:
Yorkville University began with a simple idea: to offer flexible, rigorous, and career-focused programs that transform lives. Since 2004, Yorkville University has expanded to campuses across Canada, offering both online and on-campus programs. Our graduates have advanced their careers through programs in the behavioral sciences, social sciences, and creative arts. Yorkville University’s student-centered, practitioner-oriented approach equips graduates with skills that employers value, making us one of Canada’s largest private universities.
