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Campus Bulletin
April 08, 2005
New Associate Vice-President (Academic) Named
Provost Maureen Mancuso announced today that Prof. Alan Shepard has been appointed associate vice-president (academic). His five-year term begins June 15.
Shepard was appointed following an extensive national search that involved a diverse pool of candidates and an external consultant, said Mancuso, who chaired the search committee. The committee presented two candidates to the University community in March.
“There was widespread campus participation in the process, and Dr. Shepard received strong support from faculty, students and staff for his candidacy,” Mancuso says. “He has all of the qualities required to make an outstanding AVPA, including a passion for education and a vast understanding of academics. He also brings fresh thinking to the University community, and I am very pleased to have him take on this new important role.”
Shepard will be responsible for the content and administration of all undergraduate programs, including launching new programs and managing existing ones. He will also oversee the Office of Open Learning, Teaching Support Services and academic advising and counselling.
Shepard joined U of G in 2002 as a professor and director of the School of English and Theatre Studies. He also represents the University on the Council of Ontario Universities. Before moving to Guelph, he was on the faculty of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where he chaired the English department for several years and directed a two-year university-wide self-study and accreditation project.
He received a bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College and a PhD in English from the University of Virginia. His academic interests include early modern literature, contemporary theatre, and the links between literature and science in early modern culture. An award-winning teacher, he is the author or editor of several books and scholarly articles, is the editor of the journal Renaissance and Reformation, and has written on a range of pedagogical issues, including the teaching of writing, academic ethics and curriculum development.
“I am honoured and delighted by the opportunity to serve as AVPA, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the University,” Shepard said.
In making the announcement, Mancuso also expressed deep appreciation to Prof. Jill McCutcheon for her dedicated service as acting AVPA since 2003.
