Lisa Philipps, interim provost and vice-president academic, and Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration, send the following message:
We are writing to inform Glendon colleagues and members of the broader York University community that Professor Donald Ipperciel will be leaving his current position as principal of Glendon Campus to take up the position of Chief Information Officer at York, effective July 1.
Donald Ipperciel
Professor Ipperciel joined York University as principal of Glendon in July 2014 from the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean (CSJ), where he was professor of political philosophy and served in several administrative roles, including as vice-dean, associate dean research and associate dean information technology. Here at York, he has been an engaged and dynamic contributor to the University’s senior leadership team. As principal, he has sought to advance Glendon’s core objectives in relation to Francophonie/bilingualism through, for example, the practice of asymmetrical bilingualism – giving French precedence in bilingual communications; and under his leadership Glendon achieved partial designation under Ontario’s French Language Services Act. Professor Ipperciel has significantly advanced the development of a more robust information technology (IT) infrastructure at Glendon, supporting the development of new online and blended courses and streamlined administrative processes. He has also undertaken important initiatives to enhance Glendon’s reputation and profile locally, nationally and internationally. Under his leadership, experiential education opportunities have been expanded, and innovative new programs have been introduced, including Biology, Communication, and a Dual Degree BBA-iBA in International Studies and Business; and he has fostered the enhancement of research and innovation at Glendon.
Professor Ipperciel is widely recognized as a leader in research on educational technology and in teaching technology. His teaching skills were recognized with CSJ’s Excellence in Teaching Award; and he has spearheaded initiatives in blended learning, Moodle courses, language labs, and smart classrooms. In 2011, he founded Oohoo IT Services, a spin-off company specializing in learning technologies.
As Chief Information Officer, Professor Ipperciel will have responsibility, as a member of our senior leadership team, for shepherding the development and execution of York’s IT strategy and policies in alignment with the University’s strategic priorities, providing strategic direction and oversight for design, development, operation and support of IT systems, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality service to all campus constituents. His immediate priorities will include implementation of the Enterprise Architecture Plan and the IT Strategic Plan; enhancing community satisfaction with IT services and supports; designing and implementing a technology plan for the Markham Centre Campus consistent with the campus’ promise of being technologically innovative; development of a model and plan for innovation in technology; and implementation of a new Student Information System (SIS).
We want to thank Professor Ipperciel for his outstanding leadership as principal of Glendon Campus; and we invite members of the community to join us in congratulating him and welcoming him to this important new role within the University.
Arrangements are being made for a smooth transition and stable leadership at Glendon throughout 2018-19 while we undertake a search for the next principal of Glendon Campus, and we will be back in touch in the coming days with further details of these interim arrangements.