Yaprak Baltacioğlu was announced as Carleton University’s 12th chancellor on Dec. 3, replacing outgoing chancellor Charles Chi.
Baltacioğlu was lost for words on how to describe the opportunity, saying it was both “humbling” and “emotional.”
After graduating from Carleton with a master’s in public policy and administration in 1989, Baltacioğlu said she is touched that she will be able to have a chance to represent her alma mater as chancellor.
“I remember applying to Carleton and waiting anxiously for a response and when I got accepted, it was just like, my whole career trajectory changed,” she said. “And so, that was a big deal for me and, changed my whole life basically. And so now after 30 plus years, the university that gave you a chance comes and asks you to represent them as an ambassador—it’s very humbling.”
Prior to becoming chancellor, Baltacioğlu was secretary treasurer of the Board for the Government of Canada before retiring after 29 years in the public service industry.
The chancellor is the figurehead of the university. It is a volunteer position, not involved with policy decisions, but does get an honourary seat on the board. The chancellor represents the university and hands out diplomas at convocation.
She credits her degree from Carleton, however, as giving her the necessary foundation to advance her life and career.
“Life is interesting because, when I attended Carleton, I was relatively new to Canada. I had basically no prospects . . . I had my degree from Turkey but as an immigrant if you don’t have a Canadian degree or Canadian job experience, it’s really hard to make a life for yourself,” she said.
Baltacioğlu said she has a couple of ways she wants to give back. One of the roles she hopes to achieve as chancellor is to be a role model and represent the university “appropriately.”
“All my life, all my public service career, I focused on growing the next generation of public servants. And as I retired, my passion for people hasn’t changed,” she said.
“So what better way to grow the next generation than be affiliated with [a] university like Carleton because they are producing the next generation of leaders.”
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