Vice-President Academic Sheila Embleton has announced the appointment of Calum MacKechnie as director of the York University English Language Institute (YUELI), effective July 1. MacKechnie is currently serving as director of ESL Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a position he has held since 2000. Prior to this, he was the manager of the Language Institute at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, from 1996 to 2000.
MacKechnie holds a BA in Economics from the University of Stirling, Scotland, a MEd in educational administration from the University of Washington, and a diploma in teaching English as a second language from the Royal Society of Arts, London. He has completed a number of courses towards a doctorate in education. He brings to York a wealth of highly successful experience in ESL and international education, including the management of ESL programs, long-term planning and program development. His research interests include ESL management, program effectiveness and improvement, and English language teaching in Japanese colleges and universities.
MacKechnie, who will report directly to the Vice-President Academic, will lead a team of 60 full- and part-time instructors and management, administrative and student staff at YUELI. The team provides non-credit academic language training to individuals wishing to enter an English-medium university, and custom-designed group programs offering English language development for a range of professional interests. As director, he replaces Jean Handscombe, who has served in this position since 1999 and has provided outstanding leadership in the development and expansion of YUELI’s programs and reputation, said Embleton.