Concordia’s provost and vice-president, academic, is stepping down after six years

Anne Whitelaw is stepping down as Concordia’s provost and vice-president, academic, after six years in the role. A Concordia graduate, Whitelaw was appointed to the position in 2021 after serving two years on an interim basis.

“I’m deeply grateful to Anne for her invaluable contributions over the past six years, a period of extraordinary change for our university and all universities,” says Concordia President Graham Carr.

“Her leadership during the pandemic was pivotal in helping our community navigate unprecedented challenges in teaching and learning. An excellent scholar and staunch defender of academic freedom, Anne showed a deep understanding of the needs of faculty and an abiding commitment to a student-centred university.”

Carr highlights several key accomplishments from Whitelaw’s time as chief academic officer, including the recruitment and renewal of faculty deans, the launch of the School of Health and the appointment of Concordia’s first associate vice-president of professional education and valorisation du français. “One of her lasting contributions to Concordia was her oversight of the appointments of top senior leaders as faculty deans and university librarian.”

Whitelaw is also known as a tireless champion for initiatives aimed at increasing equity across all aspects of university life. Among her achievements, the Indigenous Directions Action Plan, a roadmap toward decolonization, stands out. In addition, she played a critical role in the creation of the Task Force on Anti-Black Racism and has led the ongoing implementation of its recommendations.

“I believe Anne’s efforts in these areas and many more have made our university more diverse and next-gen,” Carr continues. “We are well poised to strengthen and even grow our commitment to excellent, accessible education in the years to come. In this context, I should also add that, as someone fluently bilingual, acutely conscious and proud of Concordia’s unique history and mission, Anne did an excellent job representing the university with Ministry and academic colleagues in Québec.”

Whitelaw joined Concordia’s Department of Art History as an associate professor in 2011. She went on to serve as associate dean of research in the Faculty of Fine Arts (2014-16), vice-provost of planning and positioning (2017-19), and deputy provost (2018-19).

"I brought Anne into the provost’s office in 2017, and we have worked closely ever since," Carr notes. "In different roles over a long career in administration, Anne has made many important contributions to the success of Concordia. Our community should be very grateful for her service and commitment, as am I."

The search for Concordia’s next provost and vice-president, academic, will begin as soon as possible. In the meantime, Effrosyni (Faye) Diamantoudi will act as interim provost and vice-president, academic.