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Look who's been hired for a big job at Algoma U

NEWS RELEASE ALGOMA UNIVERSITY ************************* Algoma University adds vice president academic Dr. David Schantz, vice president academic and research, Algoma University SAULT STE.
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NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

************************* Algoma University adds vice president academic Dr. David Schantz, vice president academic and research, Algoma University

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (November 7, 2011) - Algoma University is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. David Schantz as the vice president academic and research.

Dr. Schantz comes from the University of Regina, where he has served as the dean of the Faculty of Social Work since 2006. "We welcome Dr. Schantz to our senior leadership team," said Dr. Richard Myers, president of Algoma University. "His past experience both within and outside of academe, in the U.S.A. and in Canada, brings an important perspective to this position as we continue to grow." The vice president academic and research is the chief academic officer at the university, responsible for setting and guiding academic goals, establishing institutional priorities, and allocating resources.

In this role, Schantz will work with the university community to enhance the culture of academic excellence, promote dynamic learning environments, and generate program growth and development.

An important aspect of his new role is to oversee student recruitment.

"Successful outreach to prospective students is crucial to the life of the university and its contribution to the community [but] investment in students does not stop with enrolment. Promoting 'a nurturing, positive and vibrant learning environment' is a crucial role for the vice president and 'an important defining element of university education that is key to student success,'" Schantz says.

The vice president is also responsible for supporting faculty research efforts and to work closely with the academic dean to recruit and retain exceptional faculty. Schantz earned his Ph.D. at the highly respected School of Social Work at the University of Washington in Seattle, after completing his master's and undergraduate degrees at the University of Georgia and Greenville College in Illinois.

He has worked extensively as a social worker in Georgia, Montana, and Washington State where he was lured to academe to become an adjunct professor in the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Seattle Pacific University.

From there he became an assistant professor at Valdosta State University in Georgia before returning to Montana to teach and assist in the development of a graduate program in social work at the University of Montana.

His experience with accreditation and administration and developing two Master of Social Work programs, led him north of the border to his appointment at the University of Regina. Schantz is no stranger to Northern Ontario, having grown up in the Detroit area, and visited the Sault area many times.

His memories of the region were a catalyst for his decision to pursue this opportunity.

"I see the natural environment of this region as an asset to the university," he said. "Certainly the environment, coupled with the area industrial and business base has strong potential to provide opportunities for program development and growing university-community partnerships that will draw people to the region."

The importance of the university connection to the community is something Schantz noted while visiting the university during the recruitment process.

"Algoma faculty are providing quality educational programs to the benefit of the community and are also engaged in meaningful world-class research that is important locally. This combination of effort is the foundation of a strong institution."

Schantz adds: "The level of investment that Algoma University has made in community partnerships also makes the University an outstanding place for students. The partnerships lead to active engagement in hands on learning and pave the way for future employment of grads. I am honoured to become part of the Algoma University community."

About Algoma University Algoma University is committed to offering an undergraduate education experience unlike any university in Ontario, offering a wide variety of program options.

Algoma University also offers accelerated diploma-to-degree programs in Business Administration in Brampton, and two degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work, in Timmins.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

To learn more about Algoma University, visit here.

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