Nipissing University is pleased to announce that Dr. Graydon Raymer has been appointed Dean of the Faculty of Education and Professional Studies for a five-year term, following a successful term as Interim Dean.
"Dr. Raymer's thoughtful leadership and ability to create intentional community make him an exceptional fit for this role, said Dr. Ann-Barbara Graff, Provost & Vice-President, Academic. "I look forward to continuing to work with him as we support the growth and development of our academic community."
Dr. Raymer brings a wealth of experience and academic leadership to this role. He holds a BPHE and BSc in Life Sciences from Queen's University, as well as an MSc in Kinesiology and PhD in Medical Biophysics from the University of Western Ontario. His academic and research background in exercise physiology, along with his work in mathematical modelling of physiological phenomena, sport and exercise performance, and physical activity measurement, informs a multidisciplinary and evidence-based approach to leadership. He was also Chair of the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee when the initial Nipissing AI Guidelines for Students and Instructors was written, and now chairs the APOP Ad Hoc Committee on AI technologies in instructional settings.
"It's an honour to continue serving in this capacity. I'm grateful for my colleagues' support and eager to continue working alongside such talented teams to advance our collective goals and support student success," Dr. Raymer shared.
Dr. Raymer is proud to have contributed to several key initiatives, including realigning Schulich Scholarships to better support BEd, graduate, and Indigenous education students, and launching the Dean for a Day initiative. He also helped develop a university-wide Program Evaluation Tool to assess academic program health and led the restructuring of EPS leadership by introducing new Associate Dean roles and Faculty Chairs to better support the Schools of Education, Business, and Nursing.
When asked about his leadership philosophy, Dr. Raymer emphasized accessibility, accountability, and a student-centred approach: "My leadership rests on listening to multiple perspectives, acting with sincerity, and maintaining a steady focus on student success."
His priorities for the Faculty include supporting high-enrolled programs in Nursing, Education, and Business through faculty renewal and sustainable resource planning. "I want to ensure our investments align with strategic plans and help us manage capacity while enhancing program quality," he said. He also emphasized the need for greater integration across faculties and the re-establishment of an ad hoc indigenization and decolonization working group to revisit program learning outcomes.
Dr. Raymer has been a faculty member at Nipissing University since 2007 and has served as Director of the School of Physical and Health Education since 2016. He remains deeply committed to students and notes that he will miss teaching in this new role and welcomes any guest-lecture opportunities that may arise.
