A proposal for the implementation of phases two and three of the realignment of the deputy provost (students) portfolio was approved at the Dec. 4 meeting of the Board of Regents.

The overarching goal of the realignment remains that of improving student success inside and outside the classroom. Administrative structures and functionalities in the deputy provost’s portfolio are being realigned in order to enhance academic and non-academic student services/supports; optimize the use of existing resources; and create synergies in the delivery of supports.

Through the transition, Dr. Peter Cornish has been appointed interim director, Student Wellness and Counselling Centre, and Karen Kennedy has been appointed interim director, Student Life, effective Dec. 16, until candidates are appointed to these roles following the required search procedures. A search for permanent candidates for these roles will begin this month.

Dr. Cornish, an associate professor in counselling, joined Memorial in 1994 and is a registered psychologist in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as Saskatchewan. He is a strong advocate for interprofessional collaboration, encouraging the development of health-related partnerships with a broad range of disciplines within the university and within the public health sector. Dr. Cornish’s clinical and research interests include interprofessional team functioning, interpersonal and group dynamics, healthy communities, online health service innovations and gender issues. His empowerment-oriented approach to professional practice and administration draws on feminist, psychodynamic and community psychology theory. Dr. Cornish has published 30 refereed publications and presentations, and 10 other chapters and papers.

In her role as internal consultant to the provost, Ms. Kennedy has led and managed files of strategic importance to Memorial since 2012, including working with senior leadership on the realignment of the deputy provost’s portfolio. She came to Memorial in 2008 as director of the Division of Lifelong Learning. Prior to joining the Memorial team, Ms. Kennedy was the dean of the School of Health Sciences at the College of the North Atlantic. As an educator, she has worked on many international education initiatives and partnerships in Central America and the Middle East, and has extensive experience in special project development involving university and government partners locally, nationally and internationally. In June 2014, Ms. Kennedy co-authored Strengthening the Value Chain: Supporting International Students and Building Intercultural Competence at Memorial University.

More information about the realignment can be found on the provost’s website.