New education dean arrives this fall
Kris Magnusson, 403.329.2202; kris.magnusson@uleth.ca
Stuart Colcleugh, PAMR, 778.782.3210; colcleugh@sfu.ca
Simon Fraser University has appointed Kris Magnusson as its new dean of education for a five-year term commencing Sept. 1, 2009. He replaces interim dean Suzanne de Castell who took over from Paul Shaker after he completed his term last year.
Magnusson is currently associate vice-president, academic at the University of Lethbridge where he also served in several other leadership roles including acting dean and associate dean of the Faculty of Education.
SFU vice-president, academic Jonathan Driver says the search committee’s choice of Magnusson was unanimous. He cites Magnusson’s “passion for the importance of education in society, his experience with curriculum development and reform and his commitment to improving the student experience” among many deciding factors.
Magnusson has worked in a variety of educational settings. He taught junior high school in Saskatchewan and was as a counsellor in a number of colleges and technical institutes in Alberta. After earning a PhD from the University of Alberta he taught counselling psychology at the University of Calgary for 10 years before joining the University of Lethbridge’s education faculty in 1998.
Magnusson’s primary research interests include counselling psychology, career development and organizational planning and renewal. He has authored seven books on a range of related topics and authored or co-authored 17 refereed articles involving the application of research to career counselling practice.
Among his other accomplishments, Magnusson has developed undergraduate specializations in special education, early childhood education and the development of Ni'itsitapi, Canada's first aboriginal teacher training program, which is based on culturally specific (Blackfoot) language and values.
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Comments
Comment GuidelinesI had the pleasure of working with Kris for a couple of years while at Lethbridge and was impressed by his ability to listen, understand and act in a manner that produced the outcomes we applauded. SFU has secured a supportive leader with vision, experience and skill.
I have had the pleasure of working with Kris while I was seconded twice from my school district to the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education. Kris struck me as a aggressive visionary leader, with an unique ability to make those visions a reality. Through his transparent and open communication style he was able to work along side faculty, educators and the learning community to build capacity in a variety of pre-service teacher programming needs (i.e Aboriginal education),the infusion of 21st Century technology application for future teachers, and leadership initiatives that promoted a culture of respect and willingness to engage along side him in his undertakings. SFU has made a very wise choice in his selection as Dean and I am sure the faculty will be better for it.
Liz Barrett
We need more Aboriginal teacher programs where teachers can be encouraged to share and teach their language and values - so I look forward to his arrival - I was part of TLITE this year - an amazing post graduate program that embraced 21st century teaching - impact of this course on teachers was nothing short of miraculous - it was very empowering to be a part of such a dynamic group ready to try new ways to use technology to improve teaching. Thanks Julia Leong for making us rethink teaching.