UM announces new Dean of Extended Education, Dr. Ute Kothe
The University of Manitoba is pleased to announce that Dr. Ute Kothe has been appointed Dean, Division of Extended Education, effective March 1, 2024.
Dr. Kothe is currently serving as the Department Head of the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, since 2021. She completed a diploma and Ph.D. in biochemistry in Germany before becoming a faculty member at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta in 2006.
“I look forward to working with the Division of Extended Education in promoting life-long learning across multiple dimensions,” says Kothe. “This exciting opportunity aligns closely with my passion for teamwork, innovative teaching and community engagement.”
An accomplished researcher, Ute Kothe has secured over $10M in research funding and has published more than 30 articles and book chapters. Her research regarding the role of RNAs and proteins in gene expression have earned her many awards, including election to the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada. Additionally, Kothe held the Alberta Innovates Research Chair in Transcriptomics of RNA Modification (from 2015-2020) and co-founded the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI).
Throughout her career, Ute Kothe has demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching, learning and professional development. At the University of Lethbridge, she became a trained facilitator for the Instructional Skills Workshop (an intensive 4-day professional development program for faculty), received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2014, and was named Teaching Chair in 2020. A firm believer in the importance of community engagement, she has led many science outreach activities, in particular founding the local chapter of Let’s Talk Science in 2010 and leading its supervision for 10 years.
A strong proponent for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion efforts in science, Kothe served on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee of the international RNA Society and RNA Canada ARN, and in 2023 the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences awarded her the Jeanne Manery Fisher Memorial Lecture for promoting inclusion in science.
“I am confident that Dr. Kothe’s demonstrated effective leadership skills, collaborative approach and commitment to continuing education will serve the Division of Extended Education well into the future,” says Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic).
Dr. Mark Torchia, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) will serve as Acting Dean of the Division of Extended Education from January 1, 2024 to February 28, 2024.
UM welcomes Dr. Kothe to this new leadership role.