Yorkville University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, one of Canada's leading voices on academic integrity and innovation in higher education.
Dr. Christensen Hughes brings 25 years of progressive, academic leadership, including 10 years as Founding Dean of the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. Dr. Christensen Hughes is a professor, researcher and published author and a staunch advocate for corporate social responsibility, business ethics and purpose-driven enterprise. Under her stewardship, Lang's MBA in Sustainable Commerce was ranked first in Canada and the top 10 globally by the national clean capitalism' business magazine, Corporate Knights.
"On behalf of the board, our faculty and staff, our students across Canada, as well as those internationally who access our degree programs online, we couldn't be more excited to welcome Julia to Yorkville," stated Dr. Michael Markovitz, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Yorkville University. "Building upon Yorkville's considerable educational foundation, we believe Julia embodies the direction and growth we envision and, together with staff and faculty, will truly innovate the future of education."
Dr. Christensen Hughes brings 25 years of progressive, academic leadership, including 10 years as Founding Dean of the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University
"We believe Julia embodies the direction and growth we envision and, together with staff and faculty, will truly innovate the future of education."
Dr. Michael Markovitz, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Yorkville University
A frequent keynote speaker and conference presenter, Dr. Christensen Hughes contributes at the international level to help transform higher education on a global level. She has addressed the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the 700+ international business school signatories to the UN's Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME). And in 2019 and 2020, she facilitated events during the World Economic Forum's meetings in Davos, Switzerland, on the need to transform university rankings in support of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 2030 agenda.
As President, Dr. Christensen Hughes intends to play a ground-breaking role in Canadian higher education, leveraging the full potential of Yorkville University's flexible, accessible and exceptionally small class setting to maximize innovation and student success. "I'm honoured and excited to take on the role of President of Yorkville University," said Dr. Christensen Hughes. "With our unique commitment to access, small class learning and professional degrees, I can't think of another Canadian university more effectively positioned for innovation in student learning."
Yorkville University is a Canadian national university dedicated to providing accessible, practitioner-oriented degree and diploma programs leading to and enhancing professional careers. At Yorkville University, students experience the flexibility needed to earn a degree while balancing other commitments in a supportive, collaborative and interactive learning community.
Dr. Christensen Hughes is passionate about supporting students who have a laser focus on life change, career choice or advancement and is thrilled to be leading an educational institution tailor-made to facilitate their success. Part of her vision is to deepen Yorkville's relationships with community partners, with the goal of improving student opportunities for work-integrated learning, including internships and co-ops, ensuring a greater degree of experiential learning, integration within the community and improved employment prospects post-graduation.
"Yorkville's entrepreneurial orientation provides a tremendous opportunity for pedagogical and curricular innovation to ensure our students acquire transferable skills and essential knowledge needed for success," added Dr. Christensen Hughes. "I am excited to work with our faculty and staff to ensure the student experience is truly transformative, and to support our students' aspirations, towards meaningful careers and to make a positive contribution to their communities."
Dr. Christensen Hughes will spend the summer meeting with internal and external stakeholders to better understand and explore ways to enhance program excellence and foster employee engagement to ensure the best possible student experience and outcomes.
Yorkville University is on a journey of transformation itself, building upon its leadership in Canadian private education. Last month, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning producer, Andrew Barnsley, was appointed the President of Toronto Film School, part of Yorkville University.
