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University of Victoria

Office of the President

The President and Vice-Chancellor provides overall leadership to the university. It’s their responsibility to fulfill the university’s vision and mission. The president directs the operation of the university, including its academic work, business affairs and alumni relations. They also oversee government relations and engagement with the broader community.

President Kevin Hall

President Kevin Hall

Kevin Hall is the president of the University of Victoria. His five-year term began Nov. 1, 2020. Read about his appointment.

Hall is an innovative academic leader and civil engineer, known for his strong commitment to community engagement and research excellence. Before UVic, Hall’s 35-year career is defined by his leadership in issues of equity, diversity and inclusion, access to education and sustainability. He has held leadership roles at Queen’s University, the University of Guelph, and most recently, the University of Newcastle (Australia). Over the coming years his experience will help to advance UVic’s global reputation in these areas and more.

Welcome to the Territory & Installation Ceremony

Following Coast Salish protocol, President Hall formally requested permission to work on lək̓ʷəŋən territory prior to being installed as UVic’s eighth president and vice-chancellor at a ceremony hosted by Chancellor Shelagh Rogers and the Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement. The ceremony was shared on September 28, 2021.

"I am honoured to have been selected as the next president of UVic, one of Canada’s leading universities and an institution profoundly committed to equity and excellence."

"I am excited and inspired to join a university that strives to be a global exemplar in vital causes that hold the key to our future. UVic is a university that nourishes and shapes tomorrow’s leaders, shows global leadership in supporting a brighter future for Indigenous Peoples and communities, and engages deeply with communities locally and around the world to drive social, environmental and economic change.”

Kevin Hall
About UVic's former presidents

Associate VP Global Engagement

Dr. A.R. (Elango) Elangovan has been appointed associate vice-president global engagement (AVPGE), effective September 1, 2022, for a five-year term. 

The AVPGE reports to the president and provides leadership for the Office of Global Engagement. They provide the strategic vision and executive leadership to enhance UVic’s global connectivity and international profile. The AVPGE is responsible for our institutional global strategy and the integration of global aspirations across all university plans. 

About UVic's international initiatives

About the office

Our role 

The Office of the President supports the university’s collective vision and priorities by facilitating collaborative action and providing strategic direction.

We work in services of our on-campus community of students, staff and faculty; the campus Indigenous community; and the executive offices and governance bodies. We engage with the broader off-campus community including Indigenous Nations; local and regional communities and organizations; governments and funding organizations; alumni and donors.

Our priorities include:

  • Supporting the president and executive to achieve institutional goals
  • Being a catalyst for new ideas and opportunities
  • Responding to critical institutional issues
  • Coordinating and facilitating institutional plans and cross functional activities
  • Providing direction and approvals on topics of institutional importance
  • Fulfilling governance responsibilities (board, senate, policy)
  • Positioning the president as a spokesperson for the university
  • Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of students, staff, faculty and alumni
  • Responding to queries, complaints and suggestions

As a team of committed professionals, we strive to be welcoming and inclusive, and are dedicated to being flexible, generous, collaborative and open to other perspectives.

Our team

Photo of Christina Harris standing in front of blurry cedar trees. She is a white woman with curly brown hair, wearing a red shirt and an colourful scarf.

Christina Harris

As Executive Director of the Office of the President, I lead the president's team, provide strategic advice to President Hall, and work with my colleagues across campus to implement UVic's institutional priorities,  support priority initiatives, and respond to critical issues.

Tamsin Kaneen

As Manager, Operations & Governance, I manage the president's team and office, support institutional leadership and presidential committees, and manage strategic projects, priorities and policies.

James Pepler
jamesp

As Senior Project & Engagement Advisor, I provide project management, engagement strategy and planning, and communications and writing support for the president and major institutional initiatives.

Leanna Wong
leannaw

As the Executive Coordinator to the president, I provide executive and administrative support to President Hall and coordinate his activities, including managing his calendar, arrangements and briefing materials. 

Julie Carrington

The Administrative Coordinator provides calendaring and administrative support for the Executive Director and support through the preparation of presidential correspondence and materials, coordination of presidential committees, events, and meetings, and the provision of financial accounting support.

Presidential communications

Activity Updates

This section is updated often and reflects the activity of the President, the Office of the President, and items important to the institution. This is not an exhaustive list, simply a way to highlight UVic activities.

November & December - 2024

5 DAYS OF ACTION

  • November 4th to 8th UVic hosted our annual Five Days of Action program. This week-long free event is aimed at amplifying the work groups, units, and organizations that are working to create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable campus and community throughout the year. 
  • There were lectures, art installations, drop-in events, workshops, and the 5 Days of Action Hub in front of the Petch Fountain that offered more information on the week and how we can improve the sense of inclusion and belonging in our greater community.
  • This is an important time of year to look inward and reflect on our own biases and power, then outward to acknowledge the impact of our decision and actions, and finally to strive to make changes that enhance equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging for our campus community. 
  • I want to offer a big thank you to the Office of EQHR and all the volunteers for their work on making this event a continued success.

GAMECHANGERS

  • GameChangers is a President’s Speaker Series that introduces our dynamic and innovative new scholars, researchers, and leaders to the UVic community.
  • On November 28th we hosted Dr. Heather Igloliorte, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Decolonial and Transformational Indigenous Art Practices.
  • The session was an informal conversation about mentorship in the arts, game-changing research that supports emerging Indigenous talent, creating the conditions for researchers to work with Indigenous students, and full of stories about Heather’s life and beyond.
  • If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recording on the President’s event webpage.

CAMPUS KUDOS

  • On November 28th we held our Campus Kudos event which celebrates and acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of our talented and hard-working faculty, staff and students.
  • This was our 9th session of this very popular engagement series with some notable kudos going to folks who worked on Thunderfest, the Free-to-borrow Reusable cup program, to those expanding accessibility through web content, and so much more.
  • You can learn more about this event series and how to nominate for future sessions on our Campus Kudos website.

VIKES UPDATE

  • The women's field hockey team won their sixth-straight U SPORTS national championship banner, while the women's rowing team won their third consecutive Canadian University Rowing Championship title.
  • Women's rowing head coach Jane Gumley earned Canadian University Rowing Female Coach of the Year for the fourth straight year, and all four years she's been the head coach. 

AWARDS UPDATE

  • Susan Corner is this year’s recipient of the National Academic Advising Association's prestigious Charlie Nutt Global Advising Award for Excellence. Susan also received UKAT-LVSA (United Kingdom and Netherlands advising associations) Charlie Nutt Award for Promoting and Supporting International Collaboration in Academic Advising in April 2024. The NACADA award is in honour of Susan’s extensive career and her commitment to the profession of Academic Advising.
  • Kathryn Mockler (Writing) was named the winner of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize. She won the prize for her new story collection called Anecdotes.
  • Basma Majerbi (Business) was named a Canada Clean50 award winner for 2025. This prestigious award celebrates visionary leaders across Canada who have made significant strides in advancing sustainability and climate action.
  • Mark Lewis (Math and Stats) won the 2025 Okubo Prize from the Society for Mathematical Biology and the Japanese Society for Mathematical Biology. The Akira Okubo Prize, awarded every four years, recognizes outstanding contributions to Mathematical Biology.

GIVING TUESDAY

  • Giving Tuesday took place on December 3rd. The celebration of philanthropy brings together our entire campus community to participate in events and donate to amazing programs.
  • After the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a great reminder that giving back plays an important role during this season.
  • Over a quarter of a million dollars were raised. Thank you to all who contributed to this magnificent act of generosity. 

Select public statements & announcements

Social media

Follow President Hall on LinkedIn

Activities & events

President's town halls

President Hall holds town halls periodically to engage with members of the university community. Town halls are recorded for those who aren't able to attend.

Speakers series 

GameChangers is a new President’s Speakers Series focussed on introducing our dynamic and innovative new researchers and leaders to the UVic community.

Recognition

Campus Kudos in a series of informal events hosted by President Hall to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and accomplishments of our talented and hard-working staff, faculty and students.

  • The next Campus Kudos will be held in fall 2022 and this event is closed for nominations. 
  • Nominations may be submitted at any time and are being accepted for Spring 2023.

Listening tour

President Hall began his role as president of the University of Victoria in November 2020 with a President's Listening Tour. He spent months meeting with our community to listen and learn about our university, about our strengths and about what is important to our community. 

Accountability

DISTINCTLY UVIC | A Strategy for the University of Victoria

Effective September 2023, UVic's Strategic Plan urges us to be creative, innovative, collaborative and compassionate and brilliant—not on our own, but together. The plan articulates the strengths and priorities that make UVic distinct and guides us towards building a better tomorrow.

University plans

Our university plans guide our work with strategic operational targets and direction.

BC Government 

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Contact us

Office of the President