Dr. Michael Hitch joins UFV as the Dean of the Faculty of Science, effective Sept. 1, 2023. He will also hold a faculty appointment in the Department of Geoscience. 

A senior leader with more than 38 years of academic and industry experience, Dr. Hitch brings a strong history of sound management and a combined track record of creating high-return opportunities. 

Dr. Hitch most recently served at Curtin University (Australia), where he was the head of School for the Western Australia School of Mines: Minerals, Energy & Chemical Engineering. He has also held appointments at Tallinn University (Estonia), the University of New South Wales (Australia), and the University of British Columbia. 

With an extensive publication record that includes 82 peer-reviewed journal articles, 52 conference presentations, a published book about his work in Nunavut, and numerous grants totalling millions of dollars, Dr. Hitch is excited about the opportunities he sees at UFV. 

“I believe my skills developed in industry and academia, both domestic and international, will be of significant benefit to the University of the Fraser Valley,” he says. 

Hitch’s dedication to his roles has resulted in developing  key industry partnerships that create undergraduate experiential learning programs. He also partnered with school districts to promote STEM subjects and to help educate younger high school students about the mining and resources sectors. 

“Dr. Hitch brings a blend of academic and research leadership, plus experience in corporate development and operational roles in industry,” says Dr. Tracy Ryder Glass, UFV’s Acting Provost & Vice-President Academic. “He brings a strong commitment to, and experience with, Indigenization from his time in Australia and Canada.” 

Dr. Hitch has a history of making diversity, equity, and inclusion a cornerstone of his learning community’s values and principles. His teams have prioritized members of traditionally underrepresented demographic groups in their recruiting processes and, as part of Curtin’s process towards Athena Swan Silver status, providing high levels of assistance to aspiring female academics to position them into leadership opportunities. 

“I am looking forward to helping the Faculty expand its horizons,” Dr. Hitch said. “Translating what its members produce into local and global impact, establishing strategic relationships with academic and non-academic institutions, and progressing along a vector for sustainable development for all communities of interest.”