Sean Kheraj appointed vice-provost, academic

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Kheraj as Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)’s vice-provost, academic effective January 1,  2023. 

An accomplished academic leader, Sean joins us from York University where he is currently vice-dean and associate dean, Programs of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies at York University. He is also an associate professor of Canadian and environmental history.

As TMU’s vice-provost, academic, Sean Kheraj will chair the senate academic standards committee, the learning and teaching committee, and oversee units responsible for academic integrity, experiential learning, curriculum quality, social innovation and the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. I look forward to Sean’s contributions, vision, and leadership.

As vice-dean at York, Sean oversaw curriculum development and quality assurance, as well as experiential learning, enrolment management, and undergraduate recruitment in the largest arts and professional studies faculty in Canada. Programs in the faculty range from creative writing to information technology and from classical studies to commerce.

An award-winning author and researcher, Sean’s work examines histories of parks, animals, cities, and energy in modern Canada. His book, Inventing Stanley Park: An Environmental History, earned the CLIO Prize for best book in B.C. history from the Canadian Historical Association and was a finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award. He has also been published in Environmental History, Canadian Historical Review, and Urban History Review.

Prior to being an associate professor, Sean was an assistant professor in York’s Department of History. He holds a PhD and master of arts in history from York and a bachelor of arts (Hons) in history from the University of British Columbia. 

As director of the Network in Canadian History and Environment, Sean also hosts and produces Nature's Past: Canadian Environmental History Podcast. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cynthia Holmes, our interim vice-provost, academic, for her leadership and dedication to the role. Cynthia is an academic leader who has been with TMU since 2010. As associate dean, Faculty and Academic at the Ted Rogers School of Management, she has a demonstrated commitment to giving students a rich university experience through excellent curriculum and experiential learning opportunities.

Thank you to members of the search committee for their significant contributions to this successful search:

Donna Bell
Secretary of Senate

Harsh Brahmbhatt 
Graduate Student Senator

Tom Duever
Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Catherine Ellis
Associate Professor, History

Noel George
Associate Professor, Chemistry and Biology

Caroline O'Brien 
Associate Professor, Performance

John Paul Foxe 
Director, Academic Integrity Office

Reece Steinberg
Business Liaison Librarian

Ahmad Varvani-Farahani
Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Please join me in welcoming Sean to TMU and offering best wishes in his new role.
 

Jennifer Simpson
Provost and Vice-President, Academic