Biography

Dr. Leo Groarke is an esteemed educational figure, boasting an impressive resumé spanning tremendous personal, professional, and presidential achievement.   

It is without question that his remarkable contributions to academia, community, and humanity during his ten-year tenure as President will leave an indelible mark on the people, places, and projects near-and-dear to Trent and beyond. 

Dr. Groarke was installed as Trent University’s eighth President and Vice-Chancellor in 2014 and was reappointed for a second term in 2019.  

During his decade-long tenure, President Groarke fortified the University’s budget, oversaw the University’s coming of age in its 50th anniversary year, and led Trent to eight consecutive years of enrolment growth and balanced budgets. Other fiscal successes have included a groundbreaking inaugural debenture, stable A bond ratings, program development, the careful fiscal management of the institution, and, most recently, Trent’s partnership with the University Pension Plan. He introduced responsibility-driven management and led institutional reviews to revitalize Recruitment, Internationalization, Student Success and Retention, Research, Career Services, the Colleges, and Alumni Engagement Services.  

As President of Trent, Leo oversaw extensive developments on the Peterborough campus including the construction of the award-winning Student Centre; a widely-acclaimed renovation of the architecturally-significant Bata Library; infrastructure toward the creation of the University’s environmentally-focused research park, Cleantech Commons; and a new ball diamond and playing field. He led the growth and expansion of Trent’s Durham campus in the Greater Toronto Area with a new residence and academic building, expansion of land holdings for future development, and the opening of the new Advanced Learning Centre for postgraduate studies. 

Throughout his 30-year career in higher education, Leo has led wide-ranging organizational transformation in numerous administrative and academic roles. He held the position of Vice-President, Academic and Provost at the University of Windsor and was Principal/Vice-President of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus, where he was instrumental in the development of a new campus that has, in partnership with the City, become a model for downtown revitalization in Canada. 

An accomplished philosopher and a recognized leader in post-secondary education, Leo holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Western. He studied at the University of Helsinki and Simon Fraser University and received his B.A. Honours and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Calgary. His decades of achievements and international reputation span across teaching, research, editorial board membership, and conference and institute leadership. He is also a respected philosophy scholar, an author, and editor of many critical notes, articles, journals, and books, including the acclaimed text, Good Reasoning Matters!, and served as editor-in-chief of the journal series Windsor Studies in Argumentation.

As a researcher, his interests include ancient philosophy, higher education, the history of ideas, social and political thought, and "informal" logic. His current focus examines the role of visual images in reasoning, argument, and persuasion – a role that is heightened in today’s world of digital communication. 

Following the conclusion of his second term as President in June 2024, Leo will continue as a professor, researching and teaching at Trent. 

Personal History

Dr. Leo Groarke was born in London, England. His family immigrated to Canada when he was three and he grew up in Western Canada on a reserve close to Fort St. John; in Edmonton; and in Calgary. He has five children – Scott, Jazz, Katie, Jessie, Natalie – who he greatly respects and admires. 

An avid kayaker, Leo frequently takes advantage of the proximity to water at Trent’s Peterborough and Durham campuses. 

Education

Ph. D. in Philosophy (University of Western Ontario)
M.A. in Philosophy (University of Calgary)
B.A. Honours in Philosophy (University of Calgary)

Employment History

Publications

View a list of Leo Groarke's academic publications.