Joy Johnson, president and vice-chancellor of Simon Fraser University, has been appointed chair of the Research Universities' Council of BC (RUCBC) for a two-year term.
A widely respected academic and administrator, Dr. Johnson has served as president and vice-chancellor of Simon Fraser University (SFU) since 2020. To date, she has navigated the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, led the creation of a new strategic plan and overseen the development of the new SFU School of Medicine.
"I am honoured to take on this role with RUCBC during a critical time for the post-secondary sector and for British Columbia," says Dr. Johnson. "A sustainable and well-funded post-secondary sector is key to securing British Columbians' social and economic future, and research universities are stepping up every day to help grow the economy, respond to tariffs, foster entrepreneurship and ensure that people can live and thrive in B.C. As chair, I look forward to extending our advocacy work on behalf of the sector and shaping how we face these challenges together."
RUCBC works with and on behalf of its six members to help secure B.C.'s economic and social future by improving the quality, accessibility and coordination of university education in B.C., providing system-wide leadership in the development of public policy and communicating on behalf of the university system. The president of each member university is a member of the Council and the chair of RUCBC is selected from these members.
"Dr. Johnson has demonstrated a long track record of collaborative leadership in this sector, and I am confident she will help ensure that RUCBC member universities are aligned in our efforts to make a difference for the province," says Christina Zacharuk, chief executive officer of RUCBC. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Johnson to the role of chair as the post-secondary sector actively works to make a difference for British Columbians and the communities we serve."
