‘Excited by the opportunity ahead of us’

The following is a message to the University of Manitoba community from Dr. Janice Ristock, Provost and Vice-President (Academic):

Dear Colleagues,

I have come to know many of you throughout my 25-year career at the University of Manitoba. I write today to introduce myself to those I have not had the chance to meet in person and to reintroduce myself as Provost and Vice-President (Academic). The University of Manitoba is an exceptional institution that has inspired me throughout my time here as an undergraduate student and as a teacher, researcher and administrator. I am humbled and excited by the opportunity ahead of us.

We are fortunate that within our University community there are many extraordinary individuals – our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends – who are invested in our worthy mission. I look forward to working with our entire community as we continue to push boundaries and remove barriers in education.

We have a comprehensive strategic plan – Taking Our Place – that brings focus to our shared goals. We all have a vested interest in our community’s future success and, for each of us to contribute, transparency is essential. I look forward to sharing ideas and aspirations, taking your questions and hearing about opportunities. I am committed to collegial decision-making. My leadership style is consultative and I place high value on diversity and inclusion, fairness and respect.

I join you in supporting excellence in research and scholarly work so that our students continue to receive the best education available. In order to do this, I encourage active engagement and collaboration to grow existing ideas and spark new ones. Our lively and dynamic community is home to more than 2,350 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, staff and faculty. The success of Indigenous peoples is imperative to the health of our local community, province and country. It is vital that we work together to continue incorporating Indigenous perspectives in our teaching and research and create opportunities that encourage achievement. In the coming months I will be meeting with members of our community to discuss the great strides we have made in recent years and to talk about the road ahead.

I am grateful for the welcome I have received in my new role as the University’s Provost and I am excited by the opportunity to work with President Barnard, the other vice-presidents and all of you as we look to the start of another academic year. Please be sure to say hello when we find ourselves in the same place together. Meanwhile, I hope you are having a wonderful summer.