Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, a widely respected scholar, educator and leader, has been appointed Toronto Metropolitan University's 10th President and Vice-Chancellor, the first woman to hold the role. Currently serving at TMU as Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Iannacito-Provenzano will begin her five-year term as President in January 2027.
The appointment was approved by TMU's Board of Governors on April 29th, following a rigorous and highly deliberative presidential search, which began in June 2025. Iannacito-Provenzano will succeed current TMU President Mohamed Lachemi, who has served in the role since 2016.
"This is a university with a clear sense of purpose and momentum, and I am truly honoured and excited to serve as TMU's next President, to continue to build on that strength together," said President-designate Iannacito-Provenzano. "I am deeply grateful to Mohamed Lachemi for his exceptional leadership, clarity of vision, and his commitment to the people and values of TMU. As a leader, I am committed to supporting this remarkable community by fostering an inclusive environment that leads to student success, advancing academic and research excellence, and making an impact locally and globally."
With over 20 years in academia, Iannacito-Provenzano joined the TMU community as vice-provost, faculty affairs in August 2020, after holding progressive academic administrative roles at other institutions. She was later appointed interim provost and vice-president, academic, in October 2022 and has officially served as TMU's provost and vice-president, academic, since June 2023.
During her time at TMU, Iannacito-Provenzano has developed a deep and comprehensive understanding of the university's academic mission, operational complexity, and governance while demonstrating a profound commitment to its people, values, and future. She has led innovative initiatives that have advanced our institutional mission, strengthened academic quality, and improved the experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni and our broader community.
"Roberta is a renowned scholar and an inclusive and authentic leader who has established strong ties to the TMU community" said Catherine Paisley, Search Committee chair and chair, TMU Board of Governors. "Her belief in open communication, collegiality and collaboration is demonstrated through her commitment to professional development, mentorship and accommodation; we look forward to this continued leadership as TMU's next President and Vice-Chancellor."
As President, Iannacito-Provenzano will lead a student-centred, inclusive, innovative and research-active university, advancing academic excellence while deepening TMU's impact locally and globally.
"Having worked alongside Roberta for the last number of years, I know first-hand what a thoughtful, principled and committed leader she is", said President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi. "Her leadership has been integral to many of our recent milestones, including the launch of the School of Medicine in 2025 and the release of Transforming Futures, our latest academic plan, which sets a course for continued academic excellence. Roberta's experience, commitment to TMU's values, and her passion for TMU, will support the university's continued trajectory as a leader in post-secondary education. "
Iannacito-Provenzano will begin her term as TMU's 10th President and Vice-Chancellor in January 2027.
