UOIT strengthens senior leadership team with new appointments

OSHAWA, ON – The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a thorough and extensive search for two new senior executives, Susan McGovern and Cheryl Foy who will serve respectively as Vice-president, External Relations, and University Secretary and General Counsel, as well as the appointment of Dr. Michael Owen, formerly Associate Provost, Research to Vice-president, Research, Innovation and International.

“UOIT is well-positioned to build on its established track record of achievement as we enter our second decade of growth and development,” said Larry Seeley, Chair, UOIT Board of Governors. “These appointments augment the exceptional calibre of our faculty and staff and will ensure we are successful in preparing our graduates for the evolving 21^st-century workplace.”

Susan McGovern joins UOIT effective January 1, 2013 as Vice-president, External Relations and will oversee the Government Relations, Advancement and Communications and Marketing departments.

McGovern brings over 25 years of senior federal and provincial government and not-for-profit experience to the university. She also has private sector experience, most recently serving as the Assistant Executive Director of both the Ontario and Greater Toronto sewer and watermain associations, collectively representing hundreds of core infrastructure companies across Ontario.

She was responsible for the operational launch of MaRS Innovation (MI) and worked closely with MI’s 16 academic partner institutions and its Board of Directors. Prior to that, McGovern served as the Director of Regional Affairs for the federal Minister of Finance, where she was responsible for the development and execution of strategic plans in support of economic growth across the GTA. She also held the positions of Vice-president, Infrastructure Ontario, Director of Ontario’s Budget Secretariat and Senior Policy Advisor to Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Finance. 

“I look forward to building a strong support system that affords UOIT students an enriched educational experience with the ultimate goal of contributing to Canada’s economy and social fabric,” said McGovern.

UOIT’s first University Secretary and General Counsel, Cheryl Foy, will also join the university on January 1, 2013. Foy will be the university’s senior advisor on governance and legal issues with responsibility for advising and supporting the UOIT Board of Governors and Academic Council and their committees. In addition, she will serve as a general legal resource supporting all of the activities of the university.

Foy has worked in both the technology and post-secondary sectors for more than 15 years and has developed a particular expertise in governance. She most recently oversaw the legal affairs and large intellectual property portfolio at ViXS Systems Inc., a leading fabless semiconductor company based in Toronto, Ontario. Before joining ViXS, Foy was University Secretary and General Counsel at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Ontario. She also served as the Chief Privacy Officer for the university. Prior to that, Foy was Vice-president, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Tundra Semiconductor Corporation. After completing her law degree, Foy practised law in Ottawa with a focus on litigation and also taught employment law in the Faculty of Law at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Foy holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies, and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen’s University. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995.

“The creation of the office of University Secretary and General Counsel demonstrates a strong commitment to good governance and effective risk management,” commented Foy. “I'm very pleased to be given the opportunity to work with UOIT and its Board of Governors to help implement their strategic vision for the role of University Secretary and General Counsel and to support the university's continued success.”

Dr. Michael Owen was appointed Vice-president, Research, Innovation and International (VPRII) effective September 1, 2012. A recent review of research at UOIT, conducted by an external expert panel, recommended that a research leadership position be created at the vice-president level. With more autonomy and responsibility in this area, UOIT has strengthened its administrative structure to become a leading, research-intensive university.

Dr. Owen leads the Office of Research Services, Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization and UOIT International. He is the senior officer responsible for the development of a long-term strategic vision and the implementation and management of all policies and procedures related to research, innovation and international activities.

“I am excited by this new opportunity to work closely with our faculty members, deans, senior administration, professional and dedicated staff and our many partners from industry, community organizations, and government,” said Dr. Owen. “Together, we will ensure UOIT’s research portfolio enables social and economic innovation to support the prosperity of Durham Region, Ontario and Canada, and our international programs provide our students with the highest quality of educational experiences in Canada and abroad.”

“These appointments will significantly strengthen the UOIT senior leadership team and provide the talent and capacity we need to develop one of the finest universities in Canada,” added UOIT President Tim McTiernan. “The Board has ratified our strategic plan and refreshed Mission, Vision and Values statements and Michael and his team are putting the finishing touches on a new strategic research plan. Sue and Cheryl with their collective experience and fresh perspective will infuse both our planning and daily operations with renewed focus and energy.”

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca