Desmond Pouyat, Director of the Centre for Student Development at McMaster University, has been appointed Dean of Student Affairs at UTSC.
Pouyat received his Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and brings many years of senior leadership experience in a variety of public sector settings. For the past seven years, Pouyat has been a senior member of the student affairs team at McMaster, where he has provided leadership for a variety of program areas, including: counseling and mental health, disability services and international student services.
He has chaired the Student At-Risk Committee and the Access and Accommodation Working Group. In addition, he has been actively involved in building an inclusive community and in providing operational advice on academic matters affecting students at McMaster, which has a student population of approximately 23,000.
“After a thorough selection process where we sought broad input, including consulting with student leaders, we believe Mr. Pouyat’s background and experience are ideally suited to lead the student affairs portfolio through this exciting period of growth and transformation at UTSC,” said Principal Franco Vaccarino in making the announcement.
The new Dean of Student Affairs will work closely with other administrators and academic leaders to integrate student affairs initiatives into the highest levels of planning and strategy at UTSC. Pouyat arrives at a time when strategic planning is being actively implemented to enhance the student experience. He will work collaboratively across a broad range of departments and portfolios on campus and across the University to ensure that student affairs programs and services continue to thrive in years to come.
“Mr. Pouyat’s particular expertise in leading change initiatives, designing and implementing new programs, and working with external partners as well as with immigrant communities, will serve the student affairs portfolio well,” Vaccarino added.
“I am excited to be joining UTSC at this important point in its history. I look forward to maintaining and strengthening the myriad of working relationships with campus partners, outside and within Student Affairs, as well as building and nurturing new ones,” Pouyat said.
The new Dean begins his role on August 23.