Information Box Group
The President is supported by five Vice-Presidents, each of whom have responsibility for a particular area of the University’s work. Contact information for each of the Vice-Presidents, together with links to their websites, are set out below.
Dr. Susan Tighe Summary of goals
President and Vice-Chancellor
Maureen MacDonald Summary of goals
Provost & Vice-President (Academic)
Gianni Parise Summary of goals
Vice-President (Research)
Dr. Paul O'Byrne Summary of goals
Dean & Vice-President (Health Sciences)
Ms. Saher Fazilat Summary of goals
Vice-President (Operations & Finance)
Ms. Lili Litwin Summary of goals
Vice-President (University Advancement)
The President and Vice-Presidents establish performance goals on an annual basis. These goals reflect strategic priorities within their respective areas of responsibility in support of the University’s mission. The goals are established following discussion between the President and Vice-Presidents and are reviewed and formally approved by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Governors. A summary of the agreed performance goals is provided to the Board of Governors on an annual basis and published here.
Chancellor
The University is very fortunate to have Ms Santee Smith serving as its Chancellor, a position that she assumed on September 1, 2019. Ms Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, award-winning producer and managing Artistic Director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. She is from the Kahnyen’kehàka Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River, Haldimand Treaty territory. She is also a McMaster alumna, holding Physical Education and Psychology degrees from McMaster, as well as a Master of Arts in Dance from York University.
Ms Smith’s interest is activating creativity through performance conceived and devised from an Indigenous lens and process. Santee premiered her debut work Kaha:wi – a family creation story – in 2004 and one year later founded Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, which has grown into an internationally renowned company. Her body of work includes 12 productions and more than 12 short works. She is a sought after speaker on the performing arts, Indigenous performance and culture, and a frequent teacher and lecturer at universities in Canada, the US, Mexico, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, and Australia. She is the recipient of numerous awards and regularly performs at international performing arts markets and festivals.
Read: “Reflect, be mindful and maintain calm in the face of adversity:” A letter from our Chancellor
Santee Smith – Tekaronhiáhkhwa
Chancellor
905.525.9140 x 24340
c/o Office of the President
Gilmour Hall, Room 238
McMaster University
1280 Main St. W.
Hamilton, ON.
L8S 4L8
A year-end message from McMaster’s Chancellor
As the McMaster community prepares for the winter break, Chancellor Santee Smith shares some thoughts on the year that’s passed and the year ahead.
Expenses Reporting
As part of the University’s commitment to good governance and transparency, summaries of the personal travel and hospitality expenses incurred by the President in undertaking his duties are being made available. The President represents the University at a variety of meetings, conferences and events in order to strengthen and promote relationships within the local community, raise the profile of McMaster with all levels of government and contribute proactively to the debate around the future of higher education. The President also works to maintain a strong connection with McMaster’s alumni community, our external supporters and partners, and foster collaborative relationships with other universities, both within Canada and overseas. Summaries of the personal expenses incurred in undertaking this work will be posted on a quarterly basis. The expenses relate to travel costs and associated meals, accommodation and other expenses organized by trip, together with personal hospitality expenses. The University’s policy on Reimbursements to Individuals for University Business governs the approval and reimbursement process for such expenses.