Trent University is pleased to announce that Dr. Jacqueline Muldoon has been appointed as the interim provost and vice-president Academic for a one-year term commencing July 1, 2015, as the search for a new provost continues.

Reporting to the president, the provost is the University’s chief academic officer, overseeing Trent’s academic administration, and the strategies, planning, development, implementation and assessment of its academic priorities, policies and programs. The provost works closely with the president, deans, faculty, student leadership and other key stakeholders to build on Trent’s achievements, set priorities and develop and execute the strategies needed to position it for long term success.

“The Search Committee considered and interviewed a series of candidates but has not been able to find someone that I am able to recommend to the Board at this time,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent’s president and vice-chancellor. “Dr. Muldoon has a great deal to contribute as interim provost. In view of her long history at Trent, she is someone with a detailed knowledge of how Trent works; she has impressively led Trent’s School of Education and managed the substantial challenges that have arisen for Education programs across the province; and she is widely supported by the deans and others.”

“I am happy to accept the role of interim provost and am pleased that President Groarke has expressed confidence in my abilities to manage the portfolio for the coming year,” said Dr. Muldoon. “I have learned a great deal working with the current provost and deans and look forward to working collaboratively with them in the coming year.”

Dr. Muldoon’s Trent career began in 1983 as a professor in the Department of Economics. She served as head of the Business Administration program from 1998 to 2007 and was appointed director of the School of Education and Professional Learning in 2007. She took on her current role as dean of the School of Education in 2010. Prof. Muldoon also serves as an executive member and chair of the Ontario Association of Deans of Education. Her research interests are in the area of health economics, in particular consumer choice and income inequality in accessing health care.

Dr. Muldoon takes over the position from Dr. Gary Boire, who will end his term as provost and vice-president academic on July 1 (rather than September 1), to synchronize provostial terms with the academic year. Dr. Boire will serve as special advisor to the president for July and August. In view of Dr.  Muldoon’s interim role, the University will be appointing an interim dean of Education for the same one-year period. For the role of provost, the University will continue to recruit and interview new candidates in the new academic year, aiming to fill the position in 2016.