Over seven years as president of the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), Dr. Joanne MacLean has helped UFV reach new heights as an academic institution. Under her steady guidance, the university has fully embraced the opportunity to transform lives, guided by its core values of integrity, inclusivity, community, and excellence.

Joanne’s impact on students, faculty, and staff at UFV has been significant, and her efforts have recently been recognized with a 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Created by the federal government in 2023, the award recognizes Canadians like Joanne who’ve had a positive influence on their communities and country, particularly in the areas of diversity, sustainability, and the environment.

Joanne received hers from B.C. Lieutenant Governor Wendy Coccia at a special ceremony on March 5 in Victoria.

“I’m humbled and honoured to receive this recognition, though it truly reflects the collective effort we all put forth in making UFV a place where excellence and integrity are at the heart of everything we do,” Joanne said. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our entire community. I look forward to seeing how this spirit of collaboration will continue to shape UFV’s bright future.”

Since being installed as UFV’s President and Vice-Chancellor in 2018, Joanne has prioritized building strong working relationships with students, faculty, staff, Indigenous communities, alumni, international partners, donors, and governments. Within her first year, she led a university-wide visioning exercise that resulted in new mission, vision, and value statements—foundational principles that have since guided UFV’s strategic direction and reinforced its commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Joanne has helped the university reach new milestones. In 2024, UFV celebrated its largest-ever graduating class, with over 2,800 students receiving credentials. In her convocation speech, Joanne highlighted the perseverance of these students, overcoming challenges such as the pandemic, floods, and fires.

She was proud to see a revitalized Mission campus open in 2024 which is now home to UFV’s School of Education, including teacher and early childhood education programs. In collaboration with Indigenous communities in the Mission area, the university thoughtfully co-created the space as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments that cultivate a sense of belonging for Indigenous learners.

During Joanne’s tenure, UFV has become an important voice in food security discussions, with faculty like Dr. Lenore Newman, Dr. Lauren Erland, and Dr. Stefania Pizzirani doing exceptional work in the areas of agriculture technology and crop resiliency – vital areas of research in a time of escalating climate change. Additionally, UFV has embraced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015, making significant strides, not only in environmental sustainability but in areas like social justice, gender equality, and health and wellbeing.

Joanne has also been a passionate advocate for UFV’s 50th anniversary in 2024-25, celebrating the university’s past, present, and future. A key part of this milestone is the growth of UFV’s alumni community, culminating in the inaugural Alumni Weekend this April.

As she prepares to retire in June, Joanne leaves behind a lasting legacy. A major initiative she championed—a six-story residence building adding 398 beds to the Abbotsford campus—is nearing completion, addressing student concerns over housing insecurity. A dining hall expansion is also set to open in August.

Through her leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the UFV community, Joanne has helped shape the university’s future, ensuring its continued success for generations to come.