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Vice-President, Academic Ontario College of Arts and Design

OCAD University, one of Canada's foremost institutions for advanced education in art, design and media, invites expressions of interest, applications, and nominations for the position of Vice-President, Academic.

OCADU is Canada's "university of the imagination". Established in 1876, OCADU now delivers art and design education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, integrating studio-based education with historical, critical and scientific inquiry. This unique learning environment draws from its high quality and diverse research practice, which is undertaken with extensive outreach and partnerships. Disciplinary and cross-disciplinary programs offer opportunities for cultural and life-long learning in concert with local, national and international communities. Over the past seven years, OCADU has experienced a 60% growth in enrolment. Located on a twelve-building campus in the heart of downtown Toronto, the University offers a vibrant and stimulating work and learning environment for over 400 faculty and more than 3600 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. OCADU has an annual operating budget of $62 million excluding research project and capital funding, and is currently expanding its campus with the future creation of key centres for design education and research. Please visit www.ocad.ca.

As a member of the senior cabinet, reporting directly to the President, the Vice-President Academic is responsible for the overall academic enterprise of OCADU, including academic planning and initiatives around academic strategic priorities. He/she provides direction and support to the Faculties of Art, Design, Liberal Arts & Sciences/ School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the University Senate and its Standing Committees, the Centre for Innovation in Art & Design Education (CIADE), as well as the departmental areas of Library Services, Student Affairs and OCADU Gallery and Exhibition Services. Working in close collaboration with the Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of Graduate Studies, the Vice-President Academic will ensure integrated graduate programming and support. He/she will be responsible for leading the development of new forms of innovative program delivery such as service, online and blended, and co-op learning.

The successful candidate will be an established educational leader, a visionary and scholar with a proven track record relevant to the work of OCADU and a strong commitment to serving the needs of students and advancing the University's mission. He or she will have a deep understanding of art, design and media disciplines; possess an open and collegial style; outstanding management, communication and interpersonal skills; a creative approach to problem solving; the ability to inspire faculty and staff; a record of promoting excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion; and the capacity to build and sustain positive working relationships with academic and other administrative units, as well as with government agencies and external groups.

*As an employment equity employer, OCADU encourages applications from women, Aboriginals, visible minorities, and people with disabilities.

The search committee will begin considering candidates in January, to appoint the successful candidate July 2012 or earlier. A letter of introduction, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without consent of the applicant) should be submitted, in confidence, via email to:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.
1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1W7
OCADU@lavernesmith.com

*Under Canadian jurisdiction advertising encouraging women, Aboriginals and visible minorities to apply is legal.