Welcome to Dr. Rhonda McEwen

Welcome to Dr. Rhonda McEwen

by Sally Szuster

Welcome, Dr. Rhonda McEwen, Victoria University’s 14th president and vice-chancellor. McEwen arrived on campus in July and her formal installation will take place in October.

“I am honoured to be joining the Vic community of students, faculty and alumni where teaching and learning are driven by curiosity and conscience through outstanding academic offerings and signature learning experiences, and whose students and faculty embrace inclusive education,” says McEwen. “I know that Victoria University’s iconic campus and wonderful sense of place will continue to inspire me as we build on the University’s record of success.”

McEwen is new to Victoria University, but she has earned a reputation as an outstanding academic leader at U of T, and in particular, as University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) vice-principal, academic and dean, with oversight of all academic programs, planning and policy, faculty, teaching and learning, and academic experience.

“The Board of Regents is thrilled to welcome an academic leader whose career exemplifies the ideals of intellectual curiosity and engaged conversation, which are so deeply embedded in the ethos of Victoria University,” said Cynthia Crysler Vic 9T0, chair of the Board of Regents. “Dr. McEwen has led transformative academic programs and initiatives at U of T that prepare students for a rapidly changing world. As a researcher, her focus on communications technology is rigorous and impactful and her leadership in supporting equity, diversity, inclusion and access has garnered support across the U of T community.”

McEwen has led and championed inclusion initiatives including serving as UTM’s first special adviser on anti-racism and equity, and on the steering committee of U of T’s Black Research Network (BRN). She has also been part of Visions of Science, which engages youth from low-income or marginalized communities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, McEwen completed a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and management at the University of West Indies, St. Augustine, an MBA in information technology at City, University of London, a Master of Science in telecommunications at the University of Colorado Boulder, and a PhD from U of T’s Faculty of Information.