Message from the VP External Relations

As a primary link between SFU and our communities, External Relations at SFU cultivates a comprehensive approach to the advancement of institutional priorities and promotes SFU’s reputation as the leading engaged university defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research, and far-reaching community engagement.

Joanne Curry's Bio

Dr. Joanne Curry has made a career of advancing higher education locally, provincially, and nationally and connecting the university with business and community. Her leadership in establishing SFU’s Surrey campus in 2002 and helping to create SFU’s new vision of the engaged university has improved the university’s capacity to enhance the social and economic well-being of BC communities.

As Vice-President External Relations and member of the University's senior leadership team, Joanne plays a strategic role in engaging with stakeholders and raising the profile of the University. She is the institutional lead for community engagement and accountable for government relations, communications and marketing, and ceremonies and events. She also has oversight for the Vancouver and Surrey campuses, SFU Art Galleries, SFU Woodward’s Cultural Unit, SFU Public Square and the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.

Joanne is currently a member of several boards and committees including Invest Vancouver, Burnaby Civic Innovation Lab, the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association, the SFU India Advisory Council. She is a member of SFU’s Aboriginal Steering Committee, chairs the First People’s Gathering House building committee, and is the executive sponsor for Indigenous Naming of campus spaces and places.

Joanne holds a Doctorate of Business, Bath University, UK; a Masters of Business Administration from SFU; and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) with Distinction from the University of Manitoba. She was also awarded an honorary degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Her area of research is on the role of a university in regional economic development.