Earlier this month, Dr. André Costopoulos informed me that he intends to step down from his role as Vice-provost and Dean of Students at the end of June 2023, following seven years of committed service.
Dr. Costopoulos joined the University of Alberta in 2016, having previously served as Dean of Students at McGill University. In his time at the U of A, he has been a tireless advocate for the student experience, student health and wellbeing, and student success. The university has benefited tremendously from his expertise in supporting students at risk and students in crisis, including through the creation of the Student Care Coordinator program, and he has been a key leader in policy development, implementation and refinement of the university’s response to sexual and gender-based violence. Dr. Costopoulos also helped to co-lead the transition to remote learning and online student services in response to COVID-19.
Dr. Costopoulos will take an administrative leave starting January 1. Helen Vallianatos will be Acting Vice-provost and Dean of Students until a Dean Selection Committee is formed and can determine his successor.
I have been grateful for Dr. Costopoulos’s strategic advice and support in my time as interim provost. It will be hard to replace his expertise and dedication to U of A students and our learning environment. Please join me in recognizing his achievements to date and wishing him the best on the next steps of his journey.
Sincerely,
Dr. Verna Yiu
Interim Provost and Vice-president (Academic)