Wendy Rodgers named president of UPEI at 'pivotal time' in university's history

CBC

May 6, 2024 at 12:11 p.m.·1 min read

Wendy Rodgers comes to UPEI after serving as a vice-president at the University of Northern British Columbia. (UPEI - image credit)

Wendy Rodgers has been appointed the seventh president and vice-chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island.

UPEI's Board of Governors made the announcement after a 12-month search, saying interim president Dr. Greg Keefe will continue as an adviser during the transition.

Rodgers comes to the Island after serving as a vice-president at the University of Northern British Columbia.

UPEI board chair Shannon MacDonald said Rodgers is dedicated to "scholarly excellence, robust governance, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization, combined with an authentic and strategic leadership style marked by integrity and openness."

Keefe was named interim president after former president Alaa Abd-El-Aziz resigned in December of 2021 after allegations of misconduct.

The allegations led to a third-party review that concluded the university "has failed to create a safe, respectful, and positive environment for working and learning for all members of its community."

MacDonald said the search committee "sought a leader who truly understands what it takes to lead UPEI at this pivotal time in our university's history."

Background in kinesiology

Rodgers, who begins her role on June 1, is the second woman to hold the title of president and vice-chancellor at UPEI; Elizabeth Epperly was in the job from 1995-1998.

At a time when the university is bringing a new medical school to life, Rodgers brings a career "rooted in health sciences and kinesiology," UPEI says on its website.

She has a BA from York University, a Master of Arts degree from Western University, and a PhD in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo.

Before becoming vice-president academic and provost at the University of Northern British Columbia, she taught at the University of Windsor and the University of Alberta.

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