The Faculty of Science and Lassonde School of Engineering have appointed Professor Paula Wilson as the new Head of Bethune College.
Wilson, a professor in the Faculty of Science’s Department of Biology, will assume the role effective July 1, 2021, for a term of five years.
“I’m excited and honoured to embark on this new role as Bethune College Head,” says Wilson, Undergraduate Program Director for the Department of Biology. “York University is such a vast institution, it’s easy to feel lost. One of the foundational goals of Bethune College and its leadership is to help our students develop a sense of belonging within the larger York University community. The Bethune community is also known for supporting first year students as they transition to university. I’m very much looking forward to helping provide our students with an enriching and successful university experience.”
The Head of Bethune is a tenured faculty member who provides leadership and mentoring to the intellectual community of students, faculty and Fellows at Bethune College. The college head is committed to enhancing the experience of York’s students, especially first-year students.
In 2020, Wilson was the recipient of a President’s University-Wide Teaching Award in the category of full-time tenured faculty with 10 or more years of full-time teaching experience. Her nominators highlighted her dedication to students and her support of teaching and learning innovation, including the creation of a biomedical science stream and resources to assist first-year students with the transition to university.
Bethune College is affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Lassonde School of Engineering and their related programs. Students in these faculties and those that are in the Bethune Residence are automatically members of the college.
The College offers students an array of extracurricular activities, clubs, athletics, off-campus events, seminars, and lectures. Its academic program includes credit courses on a variety of topics, along with peer mentoring and tutoring, PASS Study Groups, Wednesday Workshops, a Writing Centre, and academic and career advising. The Bethune College building provides a comfortable place to drop in, relax, have a meal, study, and meet other students, faculty, and staff. The College is also home to the Kinesiology and Health Science department.
Wilson succeeds current Bethune head John Amanatides, Associate Professor in Lassonde’s Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.