Nominations and applications close on January 13th, 2025
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Michelle Grimes, PhD

Dr. Michelle Grimes is joining us as the Vice-President, Academic and Campus Principal in New Brunswick. With over 17 years of experience in higher education, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity.

Michelle and has held various leadership roles across multiple institutions. Most recently, she served as the Executive Dean for the School of Business at Conestoga College, where she provided strategic direction for over 50 programs and 500 employees, impacting more than 7,000 students across six campuses and online. Her leadership was key in pursuing multiple accreditations including the prestigious AACSB business school accreditation, as well as the development of more than 20 new programs, including three-year degrees and one of the Ontario college’s first applied master’s degrees.

At Conestoga College, Michelle led initiatives that enhanced program quality, streamlined pathways, and integrated SDGs and sustainability learning/curricula into 82% of her School’s programs. She also established targeted onboarding and training programs for academic staff, benefiting over 500 individuals. Her interdisciplinary approach and collaborative leadership style have been key in developing cross-disciplinary programs and fostering a collegial network across institutions.

Her previous roles include Dean of the McKeil School of Business at Mohawk College, Chair of Business at Conestoga College, and Chair of Media at Seneca Polytechnic. Throughout her career, Michelle has championed innovative solutions to enhance the experiences of students, faculty, and staff. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Dean’s Excellence Award for Institutional Leadership from PRME North America and a nomination for the Woman of the Year award in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

Michelle holds a PhD in leadership and public policy from Niagara University, as well as with a master’s degree in education from the University of Prince Edward Island, and bachelor’s degrees in both journalism and radio and television arts, respectively, from TMU. Michelle’s academic journey also includes roles as Assistant Professor (limited duties) at Western University, where she has taught in the doctoral program focused on higher education leadership since 2022.

Michelle is committed to fostering an inclusive academic culture and has implemented diversity-focused hiring processes and professional development initiatives. As she steps into her new role at Yorkville University, Michelle is excited to bring her passion, expertise, and innovative spirit to support the Yorkville’s strategic goals and contribute to the academic and personal growth of its community.

Marco Frias

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