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Reflecting on a Presidential Legacy
Reflecting on a Presidential Legacy
by Sally Szuster
Sitting in front of the lilac bush hedge in full bloom between Northrop Frye Hall and Emmanuel College, in May, President William Robins reflects on his seven years leading the 186-year-old Victoria University. “There are so many things that I am proud of, and they are all anchored in this incredible sense of community at Victoria,” explains Robins. “Collaboration across all the departments on campus has led to many exciting academic offerings and transformative student supports, as well as to a shared sense of direction for Victoria University’s future.” Robins ended his tenure on June 30, 2022.
One of the first things Robins did when he arrived at Victoria University was to establish four key priorities: practising inclusive education; fostering intercultural understanding; engaging undergraduate students as active creators of knowledge; and making sure students were ready to flourish beyond University. “When I started in this role, many leaders were remarking on some palpable shifts in the broader landscape of higher education. I had the privilege of following a long history of remarkable leadership at Victoria, and I knew that we were in a great position to expand our reach and impact, to provide wider access to our academic offerings and campus experience, and to make everyone feel fully invested in what was possible at Vic,” says Robins.
During Robins’ leadership, involvement with community partners in priority neighbourhoods in the GTA increased, and significant investments were made for additional bursaries and scholarships. “When we reduce barriers to outstanding academic experiences, we all benefit from a student body that encompasses a variety of lived experiences, socio-economic realities and cultural perspectives,” says Robins. He also worked closely with academic leaders at Emmanuel College to continue to expand interreligious curriculum, hiring new faculty and bringing diverse religious perspectives to the College’s pedagogy.
The commitment to inclusive education is also linked with a commitment to intercultural understanding and both are clearly articulated in Victoria University’s firstever Strategic Framework, launched in 2021. “We have always had a welldeveloped academic mission, yet we had never embarked on developing a cohesive plan that would steer all areas of the University in a clearly stated, forward-looking direction. Articulating key milestones for our shared priorities has helped propel some important new programs as well as renew our sense of mission,” explains Robins.
Robins launched the Indigenous Advisory Circle and created the position of a Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Issues. “We made a clear commitment in our Strategic Framework to contribute meaningfully to processes of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and I’m proud of how we’ve begun to move forward,” says Robins. During his tenure an annual conference on Campus (Re)Conciliation was launched, and a Presidential Intercultural Initiatives Fund has been created to support programming aligned with the University’s commitments to foster a strong sense of belonging.
Victoria University has a reputation for its signature first-year program called Vic One, characterized by small, discussion-based classes meant to provide a solid foundation for students’ academic direction. Robins quickly identified an opportunity to develop a new signature program, this time focused on providing a solid foundation for students as they prepare to graduate. “We know that students are very anxious if they feel unprepared for their life after graduation,” he explains. “We took a holistic approach in creating a program that runs throughout a student’s years at Vic, helping each student understand their individual goals and supporting them with coaching and workshops from staff, faculty, alumni mentors and other advisers. The feedback from students has been wonderful.”
- William Robins
One of the final events before June graduation that Robins attended was the annual Scholars-in-Residence presentations, a culmination of the one-month-long program that sees over 55 undergraduate students participate in intensive research with faculty on Victoria University’s campus. The launch of this program was part of Robins’ commitment to undergraduate research. “These are students who devote part of their summer break to building knowledge together. They exemplify so many of the qualities that characterize Vic . . . curiosity, dialogue and desire to make our world a better place.”
While the drama of flowering trees and lilac bushes will have faded by June convocation, Robins reflects on what will really feel like the end of his tenure at Victoria University before he heads out to Cambridge in the U.K. for a year-long fellowship. “Well, I’m already beginning to feel wistful, but these days devoted to celebrating student achievement will be unforgettable. I will remain a fellow at Vic and will always feel a part of this amazing community. I am very grateful to my colleagues and most of all, the students, who have showed so much character, tenacity and leadership during my time as president. When I think of these remarkable students, I know that our future looks bright.”
