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Since the position was first filled in 1877, �ʹ�����’s chancellors have served as the ceremonial head of the university and one of the chief ambassadors for its values. Now, the entire �ʹ�����’s community is invited to submit nominations for the 15^th chancellor, who will be the next in an accomplished line of individuals that includes former Canadian prime ministers, premiers, and governors general.

Anyone in the �ʹ�����’s community – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – can submit a nomination between Nov. 9 and Dec. 4. The selected candidate will begin as chancellor on July 1, 2021, following the official end of Chancellor Jim Leech’s tenure.

“The chancellor is a position of great significance for the university, and we are eager to see nominations for individuals who can best represent our values as an institution moving forward. As we open the nomination process, we are hoping to receive a strong response from the �ʹ�����’s community, similar to the excellent response to the request for feedback for the list of desired attributes of the next chancellor,” says Lon Knox, University Secretary, whose unit coordinates and supports the search process.

This list of desired attributes has recently been posted to the chancellor search webpage. A draft list of attributes was shared with the university community for consultation on Oct. 19, and the comment period remained open until Nov. 2.

The final list of desired attributes contains 10 items. Among the desired qualities of the next chancellor are commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as to sustainability. The list also suggests that the next chancellor have a passion for �ʹ�����’s, an appreciation for the teaching and research mission of the university, and national and international esteem.

Chancellor Leech came to the role in 2014, having retired as president and CEO of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan – one of the world’s largest pension plans – and having previously led Unicorp Canada Corporation and Union Energy Inc. He served as chair of the board of the Mastercard Foundation from 2015 to 2020 and received the �ʹ�����’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his involvement with the True Patriot Love Foundation, which supports Canadian military families. He also was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2014.