Saeed Zolfaghari appointed interim provost and vice-president, academic, Ryerson University

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Saeed Zolfaghari as Ryerson University’s interim provost and vice-president, academic. His new role is effective June 1, 2020.

A member of the Ryerson community for over 20 years, Saeed brings a wealth of experience in academic administration and tremendous perspective to this role. Most recently, Saeed served as vice-provost, faculty affairs for six years where he became known for his strategic vision, his compassionate leadership and his commitment to faculty development.  

During his time as vice-provost, Saeed oversaw the hiring of nearly 300 tenure-stream faculty. Over the last two academic years, fifteen new Indigenous faculty were hired under his leadership as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing Indigenous initiatives. A driver of equity, diversity and inclusion, Saeed approached his responsibilities as vice-provost, faculty affairs with great integrity.

Saeed led the creation of the Provost’s Academic Leadership Program, launched Ryerson’s annual half-day information session for pre-tenured faculty, and delivered valued training sessions to numerous campus committees. Most recently, throughout the university’s response to COVID-19, Saeed has been an incredible support to faculty and staff, and has remained a thoughtful and collaborative leader on which the entire Ryerson community can depend.  

Saeed joined Ryerson in 1999 as a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. He is a recognized expert in his research field of operations management, simulation modelling and analysis, and loyalty reward programs, and has more than 145 publications to his credit.

Saeed holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Ottawa where he was an adjunct professor from 2000 to 2012. He received his MSc from Iran University of Science and Technology and his BSc from Isfahan University of Technology.

I would like to thank Saeed for his continued dedication to Ryerson and his enthusiasm for driving the university’s academic priorities forward. Please join me in congratulating him on his new interim role.

I would also like to thank Michael Benarroch for his extraordinary leadership over the last three years, as well as the provostial search committee for their ongoing commitment to the recruitment process for our next provost.

Mohamed Lachemi
President and Vice-Chancellor