Office of the President

President Kevin Hall

Kevin Hall is the president of the University of Victoria. He has led the university since Nov. 2020 and was reappointed as President & Vice-Chancellor for a second five-year term beginning Nov. 2025. 

During his first term, Hall led the university through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of international conflicts on our campus, navigating a changing international enrolment landscape and more. He also spearheaded the renewal of the university’s strategic plan, the creation of the Vice-President Indigenous position, and global engagement efforts—all of this in the continued pursuit of the university’s collective goals. 

Read about Hall's reappointment

Associate VP Global Engagement

Dr. A.R. (Elango) Elangovan has been appointed associate vice-president global engagement (AVPGE), effective September 1, 2022, for a five-year term. 

The AVPGE reports to the president and provides leadership for the Office of Global Engagement. They provide the strategic vision and executive leadership to enhance UVic’s global connectivity and international profile. The AVPGE is responsible for our institutional global strategy and the integration of global aspirations across all university plans. 

About the office

Our role 

The Office of the President supports the university’s collective vision and priorities by facilitating collaborative action and providing strategic direction.

Our team

Christina Harris

As Executive Director of the Office of the President, I lead the president's team, provide strategic advice to President Hall, and work with my colleagues across campus to implement UVic's institutional priorities,  support priority initiatives, and respond to critical issues.

Tamsin Kaneen

As Manager, Operations & Governance, I manage the president's team and office, support institutional leadership and presidential committees, and manage strategic projects, priorities and policies.

James Pepler

As Senior Project & Engagement Advisor, I provide project management, engagement strategy and planning, and communications and writing support for the president and major institutional initiatives.

Leanna Wong

As the Executive Coordinator to the president, I provide executive and administrative support to President Hall and coordinate his activities, including managing his calendar, arrangements and briefing materials. 

Julie Carrington

The Administrative Coordinator provides calendaring and administrative support for the Executive Director and support through the preparation of presidential correspondence and materials, coordination of presidential committees, events, and meetings, and the provision of financial accounting support.

Presidential communications

Activity Updates

This section is updated often and reflects the activity of the President, the Office of the President, and items important to the institution. This is not an exhaustive list, simply a way to highlight UVic activities.

January - February 2025

NEW FACULTY OF HEALTH DEAN

• The University of Victoria has appointed Tammy Hopper as the inaugural dean of its new Faculty of Health for a five-year term beginning May 1.
• Hopper, a speech-language therapist and professor, is currently dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta.
• She brings extensive experience in program development, interdisciplinary research, and clinical education.
• She is known for her leadership skills, work with complex governance structures, and ­fundraising and advocacy.

UNITED WAY EVENTS

• On January 16^th the United Way Committee presented their annual Pub Quiz to a sold-out room in the Grad House.
• On February 13^th UVic hosted it’s annual United Way Plasma Car Race. Thousands of dollars were raised for a great cause, and it’s always a delight seeing grown adults navigate a race track riding toy cars made for children.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

• February was Black History Month in Canada, and here at UVic we strive to recognize the many achievements of Black faculty, staff and students. We also acknowledge that there is much more work to be done to support racial equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
• Through the fantastic work of groups like UVic’s Scarborough Charter steering committee, The Faculty Associations’ BPOC Caucus, and the BC Black History Awareness Society, momentum is being built for the celebration Black inclusion, joy and achievements in the UVic community.

WEST SHORE CAMPUS

• Announced earlier this year, UVic will be offering courses at West Shore Campus, in partnership with Royal Roads University and Camosun College.
• It will offer a specialized curriculum focused on core courses in computer science, software engineering, and data science.
• This collaborative campus is a new and promising model of delivering programming that meets community demand and serves the needs of West Shore students and the region.

VISIT OF GOVERNOR GENERAL

• Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada visited UVic.
• There was a panel discussion with Ry Moran, Carey Newman, Adrea Walsh, and John Borrows that was full of great stories, experiences and insights.
• Thanks to all those who worked to make this event happen and to the elders, dignitaries, and guests who joined. It was a very special event that can be viewed here if you missed it.

VIKES UPDATE

• Men’s basketball head coach, Murphy Burnatowski, has been named the Canada West Coach of the Year, and 5th-year guard Sam Maillet has been named the Canada West Defensive Player of the Year. 
• Women's rower Sai Sai Faubert was named the Victoria Sports Award University Athlete of the Year, women's rowing head coach, Jane Gumley, received Coach of the Year honours, and Vikes rowing alumna, Avalon Wasteneys and Caileigh Filmer, were named co-Athlete of the Year for their Olympic bronze medal performance. 

AWARDS UPDATE

• Shaeleen Mihalynuk, UVic microbiology alumna, was named BC’s Rhodes Scholar for 2025. Her research focused on the fight against antimicrobial resistance and identifying alternatives to antibiotics through the PeptAID project. She is UVic’s 13th Rhodes Scholar.
• Michael Prince, Acting Dean of HSD, was appointment to the Order of Canada. Prince was recognized for his work as a social and public policy expert who has made significant contributions to disability rights in Canada.
• Ryan Rhodes, professor in the department of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, received the King Charles III Medal – a Canadian honour that recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to Canada, a particular province, territory or region, or abroad.
• Xuebin Zhang, director of the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, is being inducted as a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society.
• Julia Baum, professor in the department of Biology, is the 48th recipient of the Rosenstiel Award from the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science of the University of Miami.

NOTABLE EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Attended and presented at the Presidents Post Secondary Roundtable
• Attended and presented at The Future of Canada-China Relations event
• Met with several institutions, universities, and leaders in Australia

PASSING OF GEORGE SMYTH

• In December we heard of the passing of George Smyth, a Victoria-based philanthropists and passionate collector of Coast Salish art.
• They have always been such incredible donors to UVic, particularly with collections of artworks from emerging and renowned Indigenous artists.
• At UVic, they sponsored the Visiting Artist Program in Anthropology and Summer Institute in Indigenous Education, as well as the Salish Weave School Program.
• They have endowed the Smyth Chair in Arts and Engagement at UVic.

 Past Presidential Activity Updates

Select public statements & announcements

Social media

Follow President Hall on LinkedIn

Activities & events

President's town halls

President Hall holds town halls periodically to engage with members of the university community. Town halls are recorded for those who aren't able to attend.

Speakers series 

GameChangers is a new President’s Speakers Series focussed on introducing our dynamic and innovative new researchers and leaders to the UVic community.

Recognition

Campus Kudos in a series of informal events hosted by President Hall to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and accomplishments of our talented and hard-working staff, faculty and students.

• The next Campus Kudos will be held in fall 2022 and this event is closed for nominations. 
• Nominations may be submitted at any time and are being accepted for Spring 2023.

Listening tour

President Hall began his role as president of the University of Victoria in November 2020 with a President's Listening Tour. He spent months meeting with our community to listen and learn about our university, about our strengths and about what is important to our community. 

Accountability

DISTINCTLY UVIC | A Strategy for the University of Victoria

Effective September 2023, UVic's Strategic Plan urges us to be creative, innovative, collaborative and compassionate and brilliant—not on our own, but together. The plan articulates the strengths and priorities that make UVic distinct and guides us towards building a better tomorrow.

University plans

Our university plans guide our work with strategic operational targets and direction.

BC Government 

• BC Public Post-Secondary Accountability Framework
  • Institutional Accountability Plan and Report
  • International Education Strategic Plan
• Executive compensation reporting

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