Appointments Reflect York's Priorities, Strengths in Research, Innovation, Academic Excellence
York U. Names New V.P. (Academic); Appoints First-Ever V.P. (Research & Innovation)

TORONTO, March 31, 2000 -- York University announced today the appointment of two vice-presidents -- Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Sheila Embleton and the first-ever Vice-President (Research & Innovation) Dr. Stan Shapson -- reflecting its commitment to strong academic leadership and to the promotion of York's research strengths and capacities.

The creation of a new vice-presidency for research and innovation and the redefining of the vice-presidency (academic) are part of a restructuring announced after the resignation of Vice-President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Michael Stevenson, who was recently appointed president & vice-chancellor of Simon Fraser University. The new vice-presidents will take up their duties July 1, 2000, and will serve for five-year terms.

Marsden said Professors Embleton and Shapson will bring strong academic leadership to the executive table, adding that they will complement the strong leadership of V.P. (Enrolment & Student Services) Deborah Hobson, V.P. (Finance & Administration) Phyllis Clark and V.P. (University Advancement) Gary J. Smith. "With such skilled and thoughtful leadership, I am confident that we will fulfill our ambitious plans for York University in the run-up to our 50th year."

Embleton, a professor of linguistics in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University, has served as associate dean in the Faculty of Arts since 1994. In addition to a distinguished academic career at York University, Embleton has achieved international renown for her outstanding scholarship in linguistics. This past winter, the Government of Finland named her a Knight First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland in honour of her academic accomplishments.

"I look forward to working with all members of the York community to maintain and enhance our academic excellence and reputation, both nationally and internationally," said Embleton. "Together we face many challenges, but there are also many opportunities in this world of constant change for our vibrant, dynamic, and diverse University," she said.

Shapson, who is currently York's associate vice-president (strategic academic initiatives), served for eight years as dean of the Faculty of Education, coming to that position from Simon Fraser University. A graduate of York's PhD program in psychology and a professor in the Faculty of Education, Shapson has published widely. He continues to hold research grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and has received awards from prestigious international organizations such as the American Educational Research Association. He has many links to the external community -- including school boards and community groups -- and recently served as the chair of two task forces on advanced technologies in learning for provincial and federal agencies.

"As a York alumnus, I have directly benefitted from York's outstanding research traditions. I am excited to be given the opportunity to work closely with faculty, students, and staff to build on our considerable research strengths," said Shapson. "I am committed to supporting and fostering innovation across the range of research activities at the University, from basic scientific discoveries in our laboratories to creative forms of scholarship in our studios. Innovations arising from York's research will contribute to quality education for our students and to an enriched society, locally and internationally," he said.

The Vice-President (Research & Innovation) will champion the intensification of research activities at York University and assume responsibility for its more than 20 Research Centres. This announcement comes in the midst of a shift in government policy on the funding of university research at both the federal and provincial levels. The introduction of programs such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Ontario Research Development Challenge Fund (ORDCF) require universities to establish partnerships with public and private sector organizations and to raise matching funds.

York University, Canada's third largest university, is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, opportunities for bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campuses in one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University, which was founded in 1959 and has grown to include 10 faculties and more than 20 research centres, is setting the contemporary standard in academic excellence.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor/Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca
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