Dr. Peter Geller to join UFV as Vice-Provost/Associate Vice-President Academic

Dr. Peter Geller will be joining the University of the Fraser Valley in the newly created position of Vice-Provost/Associate Vice-President Academic in May.

Peter is currently the Academic Governance Officer at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, and before that was the founding Dean of Arts at the University College of the North in Manitoba. Through these two positions he gained considerable experience in administration at institutions that were in the process of transition from colleges into universities.

“Peter’s experience, strengths, and interests match extremely well with UFV’s institutional priorities,” notes Provost and VP Academic Eric Davis.
“As a founding dean of the University College of the North (in Manitoba) he designed and taught transition programs and courses, built degree programs and academic and administrative structures, forged enduring partnerships with communities (including Aboriginal communities and governments), and integrated Aboriginal perspectives and community knowledge into course design and delivery. As academic governance officer at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, he was responsible for supporting a new academic governance structure, coordinating academic approval processes, and leading policy development and review. I am delighted that someone with his commitment to student-centred education and regional and community development is joining us.”

Peter is excited to be joining a growing university that is continuing its transition from its roots as a community college through a development phase as a university college and now its maturation as a university.

With a range of experience in academic planning and implementation, Peter understands the need for successful management in a changing environment.

“I will be bringing an understanding of and practical experience in the potential of comprehensive universities as catalysts for social, cultural, and economic growth within their regions,” he notes. “New universities such as UFV combine academic rigour with academic vitality, which is enhanced by their strong commitment to student-centred education and to regional and community development.”

He says that he is looking forward to helping to continue the process of defining the vision for UFV and helping to create opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to realize that vision.