Wendy Rodgers named president of UPEI at 'pivotal time' in university's history

Wendy Rodgers will be the seventh president and vice-chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island.

UPEI's Board of Governors announced the appointmentafter a 12-month search, saying interim president Greg Keefe will continue as an adviser during the transition.

Rodgerscomes to the Island after serving as a vice-president at the University of Northern British Columbia.

UPEI board chair Shannon MacDonald said Rodgers is dedicated to "scholarly excellence, robust governance, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization, combined with an authentic and strategic leadership style marked by integrity and openness."

Keefe was named interim president after former president Alaa Abd-El-Aziz resigned in December of 2021 after allegations of misconduct."The last few months have been very difficult, and my health has suffered for it," his resignation letter said.

The allegations led to a third-party review that concluded the university "has failed to create a safe, respectful, and positive environment for working and learning for all members of its community."

UPEI selects a new president after a year-long search

5 months ago

Duration 7:37

Wendy Rodgers assumes the role of UPEI's president and vice-chancellor on June 1. The move comes after the university's former president resigned in 2021 after allegations of misconduct. Rodgers joins CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin to talk about the role and how she hopes to move the university forward.

MacDonald said the search committee that was named on May 10, 2023,"sought a leader who truly understands what it takes to lead UPEI at this pivotal time in our university's history."

Background in kinesiology

Rodgers, who begins her role on June 1,is the second woman to hold the title of president and vice-chancellor at UPEI; Elizabeth Epperlywas in the job from 1995-1998.

At a time when the university is bringing a new medical school to life, Rodgers brings a career "rooted in health sciences and kinesiology," UPEI says on its website.

She has a BA from York University, a master of arts degreefrom Western University, anda PhD in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo.

Before becoming vice-president academic and provost at the University of Northern British Columbia, she taught at theUniversity of Windsor and the University of Alberta.