The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus is looking for its 11th campus director as Ken McEwan's term comes to an end later this year.
The university made the announcement earlier this week that, after eight years as director, McEwan will finish his term in June 2020 and a new director is expected to start the following month.
McEwan said there are several highlights he recognizes from his time as director, some of which revolve around growth.
"The raising of $4-million for the Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre is a great accomplishment for our campus and hopefully that infrastructure project moves ahead," he said. "I think there has also been significant investment in our research."
Although McEwan will no longer hold the director title past June, he will continue working with the university. McEwan will support new infrastructure initiatives with a focus on fundraising for the Sustainable Crop Research and Innovation Centre during a transitional year. He will later take on the position of college research professor, effective July 2021.
"My background is in agriculture economics so I look forward to reacquainting myself with the Ontario pork sector and in particular looking at the pricing, trade flows, and infrastructure," he said. "It's a very dynamic business and one that is very dependant on global trade. I quite look forward to seeing the structure."
McEwan said what he hopes to see in the coming years, is the continuous effort to create growth and innovative initiatives at the campus. He said with what's being done now, it makes for a "robust learning opportunity" for students who look to pursue a career in the agricultural sector.
"While we've hired many great people in the last number of years it still continues to be something I think all of us in Ontario struggle with -- attracting, keeping, and motivating great people," said McEwan. "Also, to continue to work on our infrastructure, our strategic reinforcement initiatives, and continue to ensure that we have a viable and bright future because the agricultural sector -- I think -- has never looked better."
The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) Dean’s Office will launch an external search to fill the director position. However, Prime Management Group (PMG) will be conducting the search.
In addition to searching for a new director, the Ridgetown Campus is also in need of an assistant dean. The new leadership role will revolve around program oversight and development, as well as academic leadership for the campus.
“We know investment is required to ensure the campus can take advantage of opportunities, grow its education capacity and be nimble in times of change," said Rene Van Acker, dean of the OAC of the University of Guelph. "We’ve created this new role as part of our commitment to student success.”
Unlike the external search to fill the director position, this position will be filled through an internal search. The job listing will be posted to the university's website within the next few months.