Dr. Sandra Gabriele is joining OCAD University on August 18 as vice-president, Academic and Provost for a five-year term. Her appointment was approved by the University's Board of Governors at its March 3 meeting.
"We are delighted to welcome Sandra to our senior leadership team," said OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano. "She is an innovative and collaborative leader whose extensive experience in teaching and learning innovation, building partnerships and executing large-scale change management projects will be invaluable as we approach the University's 150-year anniversary and position ourselves for success for the next 150 years."
In her new role, Dr. Gabriele will be responsible for the overall academic enterprise of OCAD U, including providing direction and support to the Faculties of Art, Design, and Arts and Science, as well as the School of Graduate Studies, Centre for Learning and Teaching, Library Services and various units in the portfolio of Student Affairs. The University Senate and the University's Institutional Quality Assurance Process also fall under her responsibility.
"I am honoured to be joining Canada's largest and oldest art and design school. Innovation and creative problem-solving are fundamental to the spirit of this University. I can't wait to start building with the community," said Dr. Gabriele.
About Dr. Gabriele
Dr. Sandra Gabriele has served in several leadership positions at Concordia University, first as chair of the Communication Studies department and then as vice-provost, Innovation in Teaching and Learning, a position she has held since 2017.
At Concordia, she has earned a reputation as a collaborative leader and problem-solver who co-constructed the university's first institution-wide teaching and learning strategy, and launched COLE, an online exam platform for the entire university as well as LITL, a lab for innovative experimentation in teaching and learning (both of which occurred during the pandemic).
She has spearheaded many other significant technological advancements, including in accessible digital learning environments, while supporting the implementation of curriculum-focused sustainability and decolonization plans.
With Future Skills Centre funding, Dr. Gabriele established FUSION, a pan-Canadian university innovation network, and launched Concordia's Humanities+ program, which helps humanities-based students translate their academic skills into employment readiness.
Additionally, her entrepreneurial and partnership-driven approaches to capacity building and research initiatives have resulted in securing funding totalling more than $4.1 million with another $41 million under consideration.
Dr. Gabriele holds a PhD in Communication Studies from Concordia University, an MA in Women's Studies from St. Mary's, Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent Universities and a BA in English from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Her scholarship explores journalism studies, media history and video games studies. In 2022, with co-author Paul Moore, she published, The Sunday Paper: A Media History - the first media history of the Sunday newspaper.
Thank you to VP, Academic and Provost Caroline Langill
President Serrano thanked outgoing Vice-President, Academic and Provost Caroline Langill for her transformative leadership. Dr. Langill will remain in her current role until August 29, 2025, to ensure continuity and a smooth leadership transition.
"Caroline has made enormous contributions in advancing the University's mission to sustainably deliver high-quality, practice-based art and design education. As she transitions back into her faculty role, we look forward to supporting Caroline in her capacity as an unparalleled scholar, artist and researcher of new media practice," said President Serrano.
Thank you to search committee members
President Serrano chaired the search committee, which was supported by Odgers Berndtson. She extended her sincere appreciation to committee members for their work in selecting the new vice-president, Academic and Provost: David Belous, Board of Governors member and chair, People and Culture Committee; Deanne Fisher, vice-provost, Students and International; Dr. Ashok Mathur, vice-president, Research and dean, School of Graduate Studies; Alan Simms, vice-president, Finance and Administration; faculty members Susan Blight, Jules Goss, Isabel Meirelles and Meera Margaret Singh; student representative Charles Cao; and Connie Arezes-Reis, executive director, People & Culture (non-voting).
