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I respectfully acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories SFU’s three campuses reside. 

As vice-provost and dean of SFU’s newest faculty, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2025–2026 academic year!  

Graduate students are at the center of everything we do in the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS): from the time applicants first inquire about graduate studies until they cross the stage at convocation, we support graduate students throughout their academic journeys. Whether it’s gaining access to an academic record, scheduling an exam, applying for and receiving scholarships and awards, exploring career and professional development opportunities, or receiving academic supports, FGS provides our 4,200 graduate students, faculty and staff with what they need to navigate graduate school and beyond.  

We are pleased to support our graduate students, as they are central in advancing SFU’s purpose to “create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact.” They inspire—and in many cases lead—innovations in teaching and research both on and off our campuses by asking important questions, inspiring ideas, and creating new knowledge.  

Our office has worked hard over the past year to advance SFU’s graduate education. We approved our first-ever strategic plan, which will guide the work we do in the coming years. We are improving systems, teaching, and supervisory support for SFU’s world-class faculty and staff so we can provide enhanced clarity and opportunities for students.   We invite you to check regularly as we make progress on our strategic plan.

In 2023, we established our vision “to be the hub of support for inclusive excellence and equity in graduate education and research” and our mission to “honour each person's unique gifts as they pursue and share new skills and knowledge.” We are committed to delivering on the recommendations of the SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council’s Walk this Path with Us report. For example, we have implemented the Indigenous Welcoming Procedure, which has been developed and led by SFU’s Indigenous community members to affirm and uphold the integrity of access to programs, supports, and services that are designated specifically for SFU’s Indigenous students.  

We are also committed to developing and upholding policies and practices that encourage all students to thrive. For example, we recently reviewed our Graduate General Regulations with an eye toward supporting equitable outcomes, and we’ve organized a working group who will provide recommendations to better support students with accessibility needs.

In becoming a Faculty, we’ve established a new collegial governance body, the Faculty of Graduate Studies Assembly (FGSA). Students and staff serve alongside faculty representatives from each of our 125 graduate programs, ensuring that all partners in graduate education—including all academic units—have a voice in the decisions that affect graduate students.  

As I begin my third year in this role, I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to the extensive and positive progress we’ve already made. At the same time, I’m excited to look to the future and to imagine what we can advance and accomplish together.  

It continues to be my pleasure to have the opportunity to come to know and to serve SFU’s graduate students, faculty and staff, along with members of the broader community. We appreciate your feedback on the work we’re doing as well as your ideas for how we might do things differently. You can share this with us by emailing gradstudies@sfu.ca.