Wisdom Tettey reappointed U of T Scarborough principal and U of T vice-president for second five-year term

(Photo by Vuk Dragojevic)

Professor Wisdom Tettey has been reappointed as University of Toronto Scarborough principal and U of T vice-president for a second five-year term. 

The reappointment, which runs from July 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2028, was approved by U of T’s Governing Council on Thursday night (Oct. 27) following an extensive review by an advisory committee that included input from across the university.  

“I am honoured and grateful to be able to continue my journey here at U of T Scarborough,” says Professor Tettey, who was first appointed vice-president and principal on July 1, 2018.

“We’ve been striving to create an inclusive environment where research and scholarly excellence can thrive, where students feel welcome and have the tools to succeed, and where socially and globally conscious scholarship and learning are encouraged. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside such a dynamic community of students, teachers, scholars, researchers, staff and other partners, and I look forward to continuing this journey together.”

U of T Scarborough has thrived under Tettey’s leadership

U of T Scarborough has thrived under Tettey’s leadership. During his tenure he advanced a vision of inclusive excellence in scholarship, faculty diversity, curriculum, student mental health and wellbeing, and led the growth and diversification of student enrolment on campus. He also helped strengthen the research culture on campus, which resulted in an increase in external grants.

During his time, the campus also commenced an extensive curriculum review and started several capital projects, including a new student residence, student centre, Indigenous House, medical academy and the launch of the EaRTH District. 

Many of these initiatives are outlined in the campus’s five-year strategic plan, Inspiring Inclusive Excellence, that was launched in 2020.

Tettey, a renowned scholar of the African diaspora, politics and media, also championed the National Dialogues and adoption of the Scarborough Charter, which mobilized concrete action across Canada to address anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion.

“He has been a transformative and visionary leader”

“We are thrilled that Professor Tettey has been reappointed as principal and vice-president,” says U of T President Meric Gertler.

“He has shown a deep commitment to engaging students and the community as true partners, and has been a transformative and visionary leader who has helped raise the profile of U of T Scarborough both nationally and internationally. Professor Tettey continues to be a highly valued colleague at the vice-presidential table, and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”

A large portion of Tettey’s first term took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought with it a unique set of challenges including pivoting to remote learning. It was against this backdrop that the campus helped launch the C.A.R.E.S. (Collective Action and Response for Everyone in Scarborough) program. The community partnership helped deliver essential services, including food, supplies and COVID testing and vaccine delivery in Scarborough during the pandemic. 

Before joining U of T Scarborough, Tettey was dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus and served four years as dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies. Prior to joining UBC, he spent 13 years at the University of Calgary where he held various faculty and executive positions. He was also elected as a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Tettey says he’s looking forward to continuing to raise U of T Scarborough’s national and international profile for research and scholarly prominence, and as a destination of choice for student experience.

“Everything we’ve accomplished together these past years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire community that has really embraced a collective vision of inclusive excellence,” he says.

“We’ve come so far and achieved so much by building on what others before us have done, but I genuinely feel we are just getting started. I’m truly looking forward to what the next five years will bring.”