One of Western University’s longest-serving deans has been tapped to lead the academic and budgetary affairs of the institution into the future.
Western Engineering Dean Andrew Hrymak was named Provost & Vice-President (Academic) for the term August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2023, following approval by Western’s Board of Governors. The current Provost, Janice Deakin, steps down from the post on July 31, 2018.
“I am looking forward in my new role to partnering with colleagues across campus to build on the great work Janice Deakin has done, as well as respond to the changing role and expectations that all universities are facing,” says Hrymak. “At Western, we are not only up for the challenge, but have the talent in place to make the Western Experience even stronger for everyone.”
Under Hrymak’s near decade-long leadership, Western Engineering has seen an increase in undergraduate and graduate enrolment, industry partnerships, alumni activities and outreach initiatives. He has also overseen the building of ThreeC+, a landmark new building, as well as the WindEEE Dome at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Park.
“Andy understands the potential of this university community,” says Western President Amit Chakma. “Already a highly-regarded expert and leader within his field, he has demonstrated the desire and commitment that will make him a strong, creative leader as provost. He does not shy away from ambitious goals.”
Hrymak also played a key leadership role in securing a long-term research collaboration between Western and the Fraunhofer Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in the area composite technologies. This joint venture, the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research @ Western, represents the first comprehensive initiative between a Canadian university and Fraunhofer institute.
“Andy Hrymak recognizes that one of Western’s strengths is our capacity to tackle societal problems from a wide range of disciplinary lenses. He is committed to fostering a collaborative research culture and he backs that up with a strong record of partnerships across Western’s faculties, including a unique dual program with Law,” says Erika Chamberlain, Dean of Western’s Faculty of Law and a member of the Selection Committee for the Provost & Vice-President (Academic).
Hrymak holds a BEng degree from McMaster University and a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. His principal areas of specialization are polymer and materials processing, computational fluid dynamics, and process design and simulation. Recruited from McMaster where he was a professor and chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering as well as director of the Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, Hrymak started as dean of Western Engineering on July 1, 2009.
At Western, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) is the chief academic officer with primary responsibilities for the academic and budgetary affairs of the university. Responsibilities within the position’s vast portfolio include senior executive oversight of all academic units, including deans; institutional planning and budgeting; academic quality assurance; faculty relations; student recruitment and registration; the campus library system; international relations; and information technology services.
Deakin, one of the longest-serving provosts among Canada’s U15 universities, announced in May that she would step down from her role July 31. She has served as Provost since 2010.
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