Dr. Michael DeGagne appointed Nipissing University President

Colin Dennis, Chair of Nipissing University’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Michael DeGagne as President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University. 
Dr. DeGagne will begin a five-year term on January 7, 2013.  He becomes Nipissing’s seventh president, succeeding Vicky Paine-Mantha, who has been serving as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor since February 2012.

The appointment comes after a four-month search process conducted by the Search Committee for the President and Vice-Chancellor, a committee of the Board of Governors.  The university’s Board of Governors approved the recommendation from the committee to appoint Dr. DeGagne as outlined in the Nipissing University Act. He was appointed during the Board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

“I am deeply honoured to lead this exceptional institution and look forward to working with the academic leadership and the faculty and staff to advance Nipissing University,” said Dr. DeGagne.  “Over a relatively short amount of time, Nipissing has achieved a great deal, earning a reputation as a university fully committed to student success that has had a large economic and cultural impact on its communities and beyond. Being from Northwestern Ontario, I believe in the North, and I believe strongly that Nipissing has a significant role to play in the future prosperity of this province.”

Dr. DeGagne brings 25 years of public sector leadership experience.  His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Toronto, a Masters degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a PhD in Educational Administration from Michigan State University.  He also earned a Master of Laws degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall.

Since 1998, he has been the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.  From 1988-98, he served as an Executive with provincial and federal agencies  including Director, Accounting Operations, and Senior Negotiator with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.  He also served as Director, First Nations and Inuit Health Programs for Health Canada.  Currently, Dr. DeGagne is the Chairman of the Child Welfare League of Canada and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

“The Search Committee and the Board of Governors are very pleased with the appointment of Dr. DeGagne and are entirely confident that his vision and leadership will help the university continue to advance,” said Dennis, who served as Chair of the Search Committee.  “He shares Nipissing’s strong commitment to students and to community.  As well, he is uniquely qualified to effect positive change and respond to the challenges that Nipissing is dedicated to addressing.”