Dr. Dilson Etcheverry Rassier joins SFU as Provost and Vice-President, Academic
An accomplished academic advocate, Dean, Canada Research Chair, and administrator with a strong track record of success, SFU welcomes Dr. Dilson Etcheverry Rassier as Provost and Vice-President Academic. Dr. Rassier will begin on August 15, 2023.
Dr. Rassier comes to SFU from McGill University, where he has been working in academic leadership for over 15 years. He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Canada Research Chair in Muscle Biophysics (Tier 1) and a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. At McGill University, he has also served as Advisor for the Vice-Principal Research and International Relations, and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. Dr. Rassier’s research aims to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of muscle contraction in health and disease, and his team’s findings could uncover new treatments for a variety of medical issues.
Dr. Rassier has led the creation of different Institutes and Research Centres and has forged partnerships with different sectors such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Rossy Family Foundation, The Hong Kong Wyng Foundation. He led the creation of the new, largest research facility of its kind in North America, the Sylvan Adams Sports Science Institute.
Dr. Rassier is strongly committed to advancing EDI and Reconciliation. He has developed several initiatives that demonstrate meaningful results including achieving gender balance in the number of tenured and non-tenured academic positions, ranges of salaries in different rankings, and administrative positions within his Faculty. Under his leadership the Faculty initiated bachelor programs and a graduate program for Indigenous communities, delivered entirely in communities. He has also chaired several committees, including committees related to advancing Indigenous education and studies and negotiating collective agreements.
The provost and vice-president academic is a key senior leadership role at SFU who provides strategic leadership on academic, financial, and operational matters at the university. Reporting to the president and working closely with deans, vice-presidents, and vice-provosts, the provost and vice-president academic will ensure that operational planning and budgeting is fully integrated across the university, aligns with the university’s academic and strategic mission, its institutional priorities, and is supported by the appropriate allocation of resources. The provost’s responsibilities have been enhanced based on feedback received during the consultation process and the new provost and vice-president, academic will continue to drive academic excellence across the university and ensure our core activities of research, scholarly activity, teaching and learning are of the highest standards.
The Board of Governors and Senior Executives extend appreciation to Dr. Wade Parkhouse who has been acting as provost and vice-president academic pro tem since July 2022. Dr. Parkhouse will be working closely with Dr. Rassier in the next few months to transition the role.