Search for Chancellor
SFU has been privileged to have Tamara Vrooman serve as chancellor. On June 12, 2026, she will have served the maximum six-year term as SFU’s chancellor per the University Act.
In accordance with SFU policy B10.12, we have begun the process to select a new chancellor. According to the University Act, the Board of Governors is responsible for the appointment of the chancellor, on nomination by the Alumni Association and after consultation with the Senate.
A selection committee has been formed and had its first meeting in September. The committee reviewed the selection criteria and will be issuing a call for nominations to the alumni, Board, Senate and university community this fall.
For more information, or if you have questions about the process, please contact:
Margarita Fullerton
University Secretary and Chancellor Search Committee Secretary
margarita_fullerton@sfu.ca
91ÅÝܽ the chancellor
The university chancellor’s role is to confer all degrees and represent the university in an official capacity within the larger community, as one of the university’s chief ambassadors.
Distinguished in their field, the chancellor advocates on behalf of the university and shares a commitment to post-secondary education and research. Past chancellors have had varied backgrounds and include Gordon Shrum, Jack Diamond, William Hamilton, Barbara Rae, Milton Wong, Brandt Louie, Carole Taylor and Anne Giardini. The current chancellor is Tamara Vrooman.
How to nominate
Anyone with a connection to the SFU community can nominate a chancellor. The nomination period is now open until October 17, 2025. You can see the selection criteria here and complete the nomination form at the link below.
Selection Committee members
The composition of the selection committee is as follows:
- Paula Martin, Chair, Board of Governors - Chair of Selection Committee
- Carol Herbert, Member of Board of Governors
- Barb MacPhail, Co-Chair of Alumni Council
- Anjulie Latta, Member of Alumni Council
- Joy Johnson, President and Chair of Senate
- Matt Martell, Senate Member
- Sikandra Ali, Senate Member
- Margarita Fullerton, University Secretary (Ex Officio Member, does not vote)
91ÅÝܽ the selection process
The selection process is expected to take approximately four months:
- September 22 – October 17: Nominations open
- October 18 – January 29, 2026: Review nominees and make selection
- February 2026 – Confirmation of appointment with selected candidate
- May 2026 – Announcement of chancellor selection to SFU community
- October 2026 – Installation of chancellor at Convocation ceremony