Nipissing University in North Bay is looking for a new president.
On March 25, the school’s board of governors announced that Dr. Mike DeGagné, who has served in the role for the last eight years, would step down in June to become president of Yukon University.
“Dr. DeGagné has been an exceptional leader and has left a permanent mark on the university and broader community, especially for his tireless work in the area of Indigenous education,” said board chair Tom Palangio.
DeGagné became Nipissing’s president and vice-chancellor in 2013 and was one of the first Indigenous presidents of a public university.
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While president of Nipissing, DeGagné dedicated much of his life to Indigenous issues and ensuring Nipissing University took a leading role in the Indigenization of the postsecondary education sector, according to a Nipissing news release.
During his tenure, the university experienced growth in both its graduate and undergraduate programs as well as a 70 per cent increase in research funding.
DeGagné is a champion for Nipissing University Athletics, and under his leadership, Nipissing added a number of athletic programs, along with improvements to the school’s sports facilities.
DeGagné is also a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
The board said it would soon begin a search for Nipissing next president, its seventh.
Cheryl Sutton, Nipissing’s vice-president of finance and administration, has been named as interim president, effective July 1.
