The University of Lethbridge Board of Governors has approved the reappointment of President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon to a third term. At the request of Dr. Mahon, this appointment is for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2020 and will be his final term.
“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to extend my congratulations to Mike on his reappointment,” says Kurt Schlachter, Chair, University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. “Mike has led the University through a period of unprecedented growth and has secured the place of the University of Lethbridge as Alberta’s Destination University. There are a number of extraordinary initiatives currently underway that are significantly aided through strong, consistent leadership. Among these include action to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses and relatedly, moving forward in our important commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. As well, leading the University to the successful completion of SHINE: The Campaign for the University of Lethbridge, including the achievement of the private sector fundraising goal for the Destination Project.”
Mahon is the sixth president and vice-chancellor of the University, and first came to the U of L in 2010. He was reappointed for a second term in July 2015. During his tenure, he introduced the University’s first Academic Plan and Strategic Research Plan followed closely by Destination 2020, the University of Lethbridge Strategic Plan.
A key aspect of Destination 2020 was the construction of the new Science and Academic Building, a $280-million science teaching and research facility that will officially open in September 2019. The 38,500 m2 facility promises to be the most advanced science teaching and research centre of its kind in the country and is the largest project undertaken at the University since the completion of the original University Hall in 1972.
Throughout his tenure, Mahon has maintained his commitment to strengthening the U of L’s place as a comprehensive, destination university. Strategic initiatives such as the creation of new residence spaces through the opening of Mount Blakiston House, the creation of a formal working partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge, the appointment of Dr. Leroy Little Bear as a senior adviser on Indigenous issues, a rededication to the University’s founding philosophy through the creation of the School of Liberal Education, the revitalization of business and finance education through the transformation of the Dhillon School of Business, and a focus on expanding the U of L’s global footprint have all earmarked Mahon’s presidency.
In September 2018, Mahon and the University publicly launched the most ambitious campaign in the 51-year history of the institution – SHINE: The Campaign for the University of Lethbridge.
“I am very grateful for this reappointment and extend my appreciation to the board and members of the Search and Review Committee for their service,” says Mahon. “As I shared with members of our University community earlier, my motivation in seeking a third term is to complete a number of very important projects underway at the University and see the path forward secured for others. My passion for the University is strong and I feel that there is much more to be done. I have the same energy and enthusiasm as I did when I first started as President, and I look forward to contributing to our university as it continues to evolve as one of Alberta’s comprehensive academic research universities, an emerging leader in our country and globally.”
Mahon currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Universities Canada and is a past Chair of the Board of Directors for USPORTS.
Mahon holds a PhD in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research is in the field of disability studies where he has conducted research related to decision making and self-determination for individuals with intellectual disabilities and the role of play in child and community development in developing countries.