Brandon University names Dr. Kofi Campbell as new Provost & Vice-President (Academic)

Brandon University will welcome an accomplished academic and administrator with a distinguished track record of supporting students and faculty as its new Provost & Vice-President (Academic).

Dr. Kofi Campbell joins Brandon University from Renison University College in the University of Waterloo, where he has been VP Academic and Dean since 2017. Dr. Campbell will assume his duties on Aug. 1, 2021.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Campbell to Brandon University,” said BU President Dr. David Docherty. “His thoughtful and thorough approach will be enormously valuable as we embark on a challenging time of building back better.”

“I can’t wait to get to Brandon. I love that BU is an established university, yet its size allows faculty and students to develop close working relationships which can lead to exceptional learning and mentoring opportunities,” Dr. Campbell said. “I’m really drawn to the institution’s strong research profile, and I look forward to supporting the continued growth of Brandon’s research strengths, and helping to find ways to tell the stories of how the faculty and students are helping to shape their communities, at the local, national, and international levels.”

As well as being VP Academic and Dean at Renison University College, Dr. Campbell is currently Special Advisor to the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce at the University of Waterloo. Previously he has served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he taught in English and Film Studies from 2006 on, including stints as Chair of the English program and Director of the Master of Arts in Cultural Analysis and Social Theory program. Dr. Campbell received his Ph.D. in English Literature in 2005 from the University of Western Ontario.

Dr. Campbell’s key accomplishments at Renison University College include bringing in five years’ worth of external funding to help consolidate the institution’s Studies in Islam program, founding a community lecture series to showcase research and deepen ties with the community, planning and co-hosting a national anti-racism conference focused on the higher education sector, and participating in the creation of a strong first-year experience plan for students.

Dr. Campbell came to Canada from Guyana at the age of 10 and lived in Ottawa through his undergraduate studies. He describes himself as a “pretty avid” gamer, both video and tabletop, and is in the middle of running an extensive role-playing game that’s lasted more than a year.

“Games are a great way to unwind and socialize, and they’re also a great way to learn about people,” Dr. Campbell said. “We put ourselves in contrived situations with heightened stakes and unrealistic consequences, and we have a lot of fun, but we also end up learning about how to work together, how to solve problems, and how to distinguish between important goals and distracting side-quests. I apply these lessons in my own life every day.”

The position of Provost & Vice-President (Academic) plays a critical role in the academic direction and institutional development of Brandon University. Dr. Campbell will work in conjunction with the President, Deans, and other members of the University community to advance the academic programming; teaching and learning; research, scholarly and creative activities; and University-community engagement consistent with the mandates of the Vision and Mission of the University.

Dr. Campbell takes on the position currently held by Dr. Steve Robinson, whose term as Vice-President is ending and who is returning to teaching and research at Brandon University.

“My deepest thanks and gratitude are extended to Dr. Robinson, who has been a valued source of advice and counsel since my arrival here, and who guided the University exceptionally well during his time as Acting President,” Dr. Docherty said. “Steve leaves the VP’s office in great shape, and BU will continue to benefit from Steve’s guidance and experience.”

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