New CME Dean Named
April 28, 2009 - Campus Bulletin
Prof. Julia Christensen Hughes, chair of the Department of Business, has been appointed dean of the College of Management and Economics (CME). Her five-year term begins May 11.
The announcement was made today by provost and vice-president (academic) Maureen Mancuso, who chaired the search committee.
"Julia is an innovative leader who knows how to create and energize a team," said Mancuso. "She will champion new ideas for CME, and her passion and enthusiasm will help the college build and sustain partnerships and capitalize on opportunities."
In making the announcement, Mancuso expressed gratitude to acting dean David Prescott and founding dean Chris McKenna, both faculty members in the Department of Economics, for their dedicated service and contributions.
She also thanked members of the search committee, which included faculty, students and staff members, for their hard work and commitment, and the University community for its participation.
A U of G faculty member since 1987, Christensen Hughes served as director of U of G's Teaching Support Services for 10 years. She was also president of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, a national association of academics committed to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. She was appointed chair of the Department of Business in 2007.
“I am deeply honoured by this decision,” said Christensen Hughes. “I look forward to working with CME faculty, staff and students, along with all our stakeholders, in helping the college realize its potential and put management and economics at Guelph ‘on the map.’”
Her scholarly interests include organizational effectiveness, strategic human resources management, employee and student engagement, academic integrity and curriculum reform. She is the author of numerous book chapters and journal articles and co-edited the 2007 book Curriculum Development in Higher Education: Faculty-Driven Processes and Practices.
In 2008, Christensen Hughes received the University's John Bell Award for outstanding educational leadership. In 2007, her work on academic integrity earned her the Edward F. Sheffield Award for research excellence. She has also been nominated for numerous teaching awards and won an Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award in 1995.
She earned a bachelor's degree in commerce from U of G and an MBA and a PhD in organizational behaviour from York University's Schulich School of Business.
