Capilano University announces Laureen Styles as interim president and vice-chancellor
News release: CapU announces Laureen Styles as interim president (PDF)
NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. February 24, 2025—Capilano University (CapU) is pleased to announce that Laureen Styles, EdD, has been appointed interim president and vice-chancellor, effective April 22, 2025.
Styles’s appointment ensures continuity and leadership for the University while the search progresses following President Paul Dangerfield’s announcement in March 2024 that the 2024-2025 academic year would be his last as president of Capilano University.
Since joining the University in 2018, Styles held the role of vice-president, academic & provost, and since last fall, was serving as a special advisor to the president. Throughout her time at CapU, she has been instrumental in the creation of Envisioning 2030 and the corresponding academic plan, Illuminating 2030. Styles successfully stood up the office of Creative Activity Research and Scholarship (CARS) and the launch of the Squamish campus. Her leadership was instrumental in the creation of Indigenous Education & Affairs (IEA) and Chén̓chenstway, a living document outlining CapU’s journey of reconciliACTION and learning.
“With an extensive background in higher education leadership and a strong commitment to our University's purpose and values, Laureen will guide us during this transitional period as we continue to build on our academic excellence, student success and community engagement,” said David Ayriss, board chair, Capilano University board of governors.
Styles holds a Doctor of Education in educational leadership (EdD) from the University of Calgary as well as a Master of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in nursing, both from the University of Alberta. Prior to her tenure at CapU, she held the positions of vice-president academic at the Justice Institute of BC, dean, Faculty of Health and Human Services at Vancouver Island University (VIU) and teaching (faculty) roles at VIU and the College of New Caledonia.
More information
- Capilano University’s Presidential Search
- The University’s Envisioning 2030 strategic plan
- The University's Illuminating 2030 academic plan
About Capilano University
Capilano University offers students a remarkable space to thrive with industry-leading instructors, small classes and more than 100 programs across five distinctive faculties. Serving British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky region with locations in North Vancouver, Squamish and the Sunshine Coast, CapU is a unique space where students are encouraged to make their mark, in and out of the classroom. Capilano University is named after Sa7plek (Chief Joe Capilano), an important leader of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses are located on the territories of the LíỈwat, xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), shíshálh (Sechelt), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səỈílwətaʔ/selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Layne Christensen
Senior Communications Officer, External
Capilano University
t: 604 220 8937
e: laynechristensen@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca
Submitted by: Communications