Brandon University welcomes Dr. Gregory Kennedy as new Dean of Arts

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Brandon University’s new Dean of Arts, who is returning to Manitoba after nearly 25 years away.

Dr. Gregory Kennedy is a specialist of early Canadian history, particularly the history of New France, Acadia, and the larger French Atlantic World. His extensive research output, funded by numerous grants, includes two scholarly monographs, a collection of essays, and several articles and book chapters. After completing his PhD at York University in Toronto, he was hired in 2009 at the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick. Beginning in 2015, he became the Research Director of the Institute of Acadian Studies at that institution, where he led a complete program renewal through the delivery of two five-year strategic plans that focused on collaborative research, a new postdoctoral fellowship, student training, and knowledge mobilization in the community.

“This is a dream job for me. I am overjoyed to return to Manitoba. I get to support the outstanding work being done here at Brandon University, bringing my own experience with building teams, championing innovative research and teaching, and working with local communities,” said Dr. Kennedy. “There are so many opportunities to showcase and develop the remarkable accomplishments of students, staff, and faculty here at Brandon University. I am here to help as best I can.”

Dr. Kennedy has also previously served as Graduate Director of the History program and in a range of other leadership roles, including working closely with the Provost to prioritize new academic hires and the regularization of contract faculty. He has also been a member of key committees, including an Indigenization Working Group, and an Advisory Committee for the Province of New Brunswick’s Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development; this latter committee was tasked with helping to update school curricula to be more inclusive of Indigenous and Afro-Canadian experiences. Fluently bilingual in French, Dr. Kennedy sees opportunities to support minority linguistic communities and build new partnerships in western Manitoba and beyond.

“Dr. Kennedy has a transparent and consultative leadership style, is a strong and timely communicator, and is an efficient and engaged administrator who seeks to build a collaborative vision alongside those with whom he works,” said BU’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Kofi Campbell, who noted both Dr. Kennedy’s 26-year career as a part-time reservist and Logistics Officer in the Canadian Army, rising to the rank of Colonel, as well as his numerous qualifications from the Canadian School of Public Service. “He has put this knowledge to good use in working to transform both those units under his command, and his academic teams, into more inclusive and welcoming spaces for all. Welcome, Gregory, and we look forward to working with you.”

Dr. Campbell thanked the outgoing Acting Dean, Dr. Balfour Spence, for his service since August of 2021.

“Under Dr. Spence’s leadership, the Faculty was able to bring to fruition several important initiatives,” said Dr. Campbell, listing creation of three certificate programs in two departments, the hiring of a new Director for the Rural Development Institute among many other program and faculty initiatives. “Dr. Spence was an excellent advocate for the Faculty of Arts, and a strong contributing member of the President’s Advisory Council and Deans’ Council, where he will be sorely missed!”

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