I hope you enjoyed reading the fall issue of FIAT, Furthering Innovation and Teaching, in which we have profiled some of the new faces of research here at the University of Lethbridge, including myself, the incoming vice-president (research).

What is it about the U of L that attracts accomplished students, researchers and teachers? Why do students like Gabrielle Weasel Head, who completed her undergraduate studies here, return to enrol in our graduate programs? Why do master's degree recipients like Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk return here as faculty?

There are a myriad of reasons. One is certainly the personal and supportive learning environment they find on this campus. Equally important are the relevant programs and interdisciplinary approach that drives their work and sparks their imaginations. For physics teacher and graduate student Don Checkley, it's the flexibility of our programs that allows him to work full time while completing his Master of Education degree.

Students at the U of L learn by doing and by working closely with supportive mentors who engage them in collaborative learning and creative research. Faculty here are offered the opportunity to bring their current research and expertise into the classroom and integrate theory with practice.

And what drew me to the University of Lethbridge?

I come here full of optimism. I am personally attracted to a team approach that utilizes everyone's strengths in a concerted effort. We all can make unique contributions to a common shared purpose and I believe that a strong team ensures success. One important task will be to engage the U of L research community and lay out the framework for a new strategic plan that positions us as an emerging research-intensive comprehensive university.

I intend to continue fostering an environment that will capitalize on our strengths and build on themes that bring together initiatives from the humanities to the sciences.

This is an exciting time for this university. I am happy to be joining the U of L team and look forward to working with our researchers to further their success and to sharing their successes with you in future issues of FIAT.