Carleton University named Wisdom Tettey as its next president and vice-chancellor today.
His five-year appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2025, and he will also assume a tenured position as a political science professor.
Tettey is “[an] inclusive and authentic leader who will champion our smart, caring community,” reads a statement from Greg Farrell, the university’s board of governors chairperson.
Currently, Tettey is a vice-president at the University of Toronto (UofT). He has also served as principal of UofT’s Scarborough campus since 2018.
Tettey was selected by a university advisory committee, which included staff, students, faculty, alumni, senate and board members.
“He impressed the advisory committee with an ambitious vision for Carleton as a bold community of conscientious and adaptable global leaders who challenge the status quo and champion transformative change for the good of all,” Farrell’s statement added.
Tomberlin to step down in September
Tettey will be taking over for Jerry Tomberlin, who has been filling the interim role since Sept. 1. of last year after former president Benoit-Antoine Bacon’s departure.
Tomberlin will maintain the role until Tettey’s appointment.
“The Board of Governors extends its appreciation to Dr. Tomberlin for his tremendous service and commitment to Carleton during this transition period,” Farrell’s statement read.
Bacon’s withdrawal from the Carleton community came on the heels of controversial university action during the recent CUPE 4600 strike.
CUPE 4600 represents all teaching assistants, internally-funded research assistants and contract instructors at Carleton.
The labour dispute saw nearly 3,000 TAs, contract instructors and other education workers take strike action during the winter 2023 semester. During the dispute, a number of students and union members publicly expressed concerns about a lack of communication from the university and wage clawbacks, among other issues.
Several CUPE 4600 members expressed concern about Tomberlin’s interim appointment following the strike action. Tomberlin was also the subject of an April 2023 harassment complaint, the Charlatan previously reported.
Prior to his current role, Tettey also served as a dean at the Okanagan campus at the University of British Columbia and an interim dean at the University of Calgary.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
