Jacqueline Nolte has been appointed Dean of Arts at UFV, after a two-year stint as UFV’s interim Dean of Arts.

Nolte has been at UFV since 1999, starting as a sessional instructor in art history and gaining a faculty appointment in 2000. She served as Visual Arts department head from 2004 to 2009, and became interim Dean of Arts in June of 2009.

Originally from South Africa, Nolte holds a PhD in historical studies, an MA and a BA (Hons) in the history of art, and a BA in fine art from the University of Cape Town, as well as a diploma in higher education from the University of South Africa. She immigrated to Canada in 1998.

As Visual Arts department head at UFV, she led the development of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program and a redesign of the Visual Arts facilities and studios. She helped to initiate and design several innovative courses and programs, including a community arts course that sees students working with community groups on public art projects, and the Indigenous Arts certificate, which brought in a master carver from the Sto:lo community to work with students.

As interim Dean of Arts, she steered a process that saw the Faculty of Arts restructured into a College of Arts with two Faculties (Humanities and Social Sciences). She also led the development of majors in philosophy and political science within the Bachelor of Arts degree, of several minors and extended minors within the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and a number of academic certificates (in Mennonite studies, diaspora studies, professional communications, and media literacy). She also oversaw several program reviews.

Nolte says that she is committed to UFV’s historical dedication to access to excellence for students, and to the conscious integration of scholarship and teaching.

“Narrow definitions of scholarship and teaching are not what we need. I will promote an environment in which faculty are encouraged to expand and articulate their scholarly and creative activity within regional, national, and international communities of scholars. Such exchange will ensure a distinguished quality of experience for undergraduates in a rapidly changing post-secondary environment.”

Her experiences growing up and as a young adult in war-torn South Africa will also influence her leadership approach.

“As an immigrant from a war-torn country, characterized by insidious abuses of human rights, I am sensitive to the complex histories that make up Canadian society and to the many challenges that we continue to face in building equity and respect. I will also bring to the position a profound respect for educating learners with the objective of increasing social awareness and civic participation.

“Recognizing that our university is situated on traditional Sto:lo territory, I will ensure that I both listen to and respond to the voices of our local indigenous communities. I am also committed to respecting the diverse experiences of all who have contributed to the valley’s history and development.”

UFV Vice President Academic and Provost Eric Davis welcomes Dean Nolte to her position with enthusiasm.

“In her interview and presentation to the UFV community, Jacqueline was inspiring, practical, and humble, all at the same time. She brings a wealth of experience in teaching, scholarship, service, and administration. She has a profound understanding of and commitment to the values and social purpose of a liberal arts education. In other words, she embodies the ‘breadth of learning and grace of style’ that Leonardo Bruni spoke of when he contributed to the invention of a liberal arts education in quattrocento Italy.”

The college consists of two new faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences. Associate Deans of the College of Arts (Susan Fisher and Madeleine Hardin) have responsibilities that cut across the two faculties to ensure the continued integration of the college.