A special announcement from President and Vice-Chancellor Paul Dangerfield
I’m writing to let you know that after a great deal of thought and reflection, I’ve decided the 2024-2025 academic year will be my last at Capilano University. The Board has begun a search for a new president, and to ensure a smooth transition, I will remain in my role until a replacement is in place, up until spring 2025.
My years at CapU since I arrived in 2016 have been some of the most rewarding of my career, and I am inspired by all we have achieved together during that time. At the core of everything we’ve done has been a focus on imagination, community, a distinct university experience and health and well-being.
The past few years have seen substantial development for CapU. At the top of that list is the addition of a variety of new, relevant and imaginative degrees and diplomas in sciences, humanities, applied arts and health. We opened CapU Lonsdale in the heart of North Vancouver’s Shipyards District, created the Centre for Teaching Excellence, renamed the Sechelt campus kálax-ay, opened off-campus student housing, and created the Centre for Student Success and the Learning Commons. Just in the last two years, we’ve started construction on the new Centre for Childhood Studies and our first on-campus student housing, and now, we’re getting CapU Squamish set to open in Fall 2024!
Our expanded services and resources have been instrumental in supporting the student and employee population growth over the past few years, as we continue to embrace imagination to discover new and better approaches to what we do.
We’ve really come into our own as a regional university, maturing from our humble beginnings as a great little college in the forest. With Envisioning 2030 and Illuminating 2030 guiding our direction, we’ve been committed to cultivating life-enhancing experiences in diverse and inclusive environments. We earned a spot as part of Universities Canada, achieved exempt status at the baccalaureate level and embraced our role in research through the establishment of Creative Activity, Research and Scholarship (CARS). I’m especially proud of how we’ve attracted and embraced students and employees from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, enriching the work we do, and the knowledge we gain and share.
In 2018, we celebrated our 50th anniversary, and with it, launched a legacy canoe project as master carver Ses siyam (also known as Ray Natraoro) began work to carve a ceremonial and sea-worthy canoe, Skw’cháys. In becoming a canoe family, we took on a responsibility as we paddle together on our journey. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years, and am grateful for the CapU Elders’ Circle, our growing relationships with Nations, and our commitment to decolonizing and Indigenization.
I’m often asked what a perfect day is at work for me. For me, it’s simple, and though it sounds cliché, it’s all about the students: going to the Centre for Sport and Wellness to work out amongst the varsity athletes. Then walking around the campus engaging and learning with colleagues from student presentations or talking to them in our amazing spaces like the Learning Commons. Where else can you experience listening to some jazz, watching stage performers, and looking at great art? And then later, I get to see those same students cross the stage at convocation. How lucky am I to have that as a part of my day?
I’m not leaving yet—I’ve got some more work to do first.
As I look ahead to my last few months, I am confident that CapU is in good hands with strong leaders, inspiring employees, and imaginative learners. I’ve been working with the executive team and Board over the past few months to ensure a successful transition, and there is a solid plan in place.
I also know there’s lots more to come in the coming years as you all continue to transform the lives of learners, employees and communities, and I’m looking forward to watching new, innovative ideas come to life.
Thank you for being a part of what makes CapU exceptional.
All the best,
Paul
Submitted by: Communications