Academic Dean Leanne Bennett was unanimously approved as Interim Director General of Dawson College by the Board of Governors at a special meeting held on November 19. This was reported to the Dawson community by Sean Smith, Chair of the Board of Governors.
Leanne will assume the role on January 1, 2026, following the retirement of Director General Diane Gauvin and while the search for a new Director General continues.
Leanne was appointed Academic Dean in January 2023. At the time, Director General Diane Gauvin said: "Leanne is a competent and capable leader who has handled some very difficult dossiers at the College. She is trusted by the Dawson community. There are a number of challenges ahead, and Leanne's leadership will be essential in dealing with them."
Following her most recent appointment, Leanne said: "I appreciate the trust that the Board of Governors has placed in me. I am committed to providing steady leadership during this period of transition while the Search Committee continues its work to identify the right long-term Director General."
Leanne joined Dawson in 2002 as a Humanities teacher. She later served as Dean of Social Science and Business Technologies and as Dean of Science, Medical Studies and Engineering, before becoming Academic Dean. Prior to joining Dawson, she served for a decade as Director of the residential camp for deaf and disabled children at the MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre.
She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in History from Concordia University and pursued doctoral studies in History, including field research in India, at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies.
