The University of Manitoba is pleased to share the following decanal reappointments and extension.
Dr. Marcia Friesen will continue to lead the Price Faculty of Engineering, having been reappointed to a second term as dean from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Friesen has fostered a strong culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion by increasing the diversity of faculty and students, updating policies, and supporting initiatives that promote inclusion. She has also championed Indigenous excellence and Reconciliation through the integration of Indigenous-focused courses, expanded experiential learning opportunities, and facilitating the hiring of Indigenous Scholars.
Dr. Friesen has advanced several key initiatives during her first term as Dean. These include implementing a multi-year enrolment growth strategy, introducing new program options, and successfully preparing the Faculty for accreditation review. She also strengthened research engagement, expanded industry partnerships, and supported the renewal of Canada Research Chairs.
The University of Manitoba has approved the reappointment of Dr. Richard Jochelson as dean of the Faculty of Law for a five-year term, from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031.
In his first term, Dr. Jochelson led a major expansion of experiential legal education, establishing one of the most comprehensive clinical ecosystems among Canadian law schools and significantly increasing student engagement in access-to-justice placements. He has also made transformative contributions in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through the creation of dedicated senior leadership roles and the integration of EDIA across curriculum, student success initiatives, and professional pathways.
Under his leadership, the Faculty has emerged as a national leader in Indigenous legal education, with Call-to-Action #28 fully embedded across curriculum and governance, strengthened Indigenous admissions and faculty representation, and deepened partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations. Complementing this work, Dr. Jochelson has modernized governance and policy frameworks, strengthened graduate education through new and redesigned programs, and enhanced research culture and faculty renewal. He has also strengthened relationships with alumni, donors, and external partners.
UM has approved the reappointment of Dr. Brian Mark as dean of the Faculty of Science. His five-and-a-half-year term will run July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2031, and will include a six-month administrative leave beginning July 1, 2026.
Dr. Mark has demonstrated a clear focus on enhancing the student experience, strengthening research excellence, and building meaningful institutional and community partnerships. During his leadership, the Faculty of Science has advanced major curriculum reforms, expanded experiential learning opportunities, and significantly improved advising capacity to better support student success and progression. Dr. Mark has provided strong leadership in equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, Indigenous excellence, and community engagement.
In addition, the Faculty’s research profile has seen substantial growth. This includes record levels of competitive research funding, advancing major interdisciplinary initiatives, and strategic investments in research infrastructure. Among these achievements, Dr. Mark has played a key role in advancing the PRAIRIE Biologics Accelerator, a state-of-the-art research facility poised to position Manitoba as a leader in vaccine development, biomanufacturing, and regional innovation in western Canada.
The University of Manitoba has approved the extension of Professor Mimi Locher’s term as dean of the Faculty of Architecture through June 30, 2028.
Professor Locher has provided thoughtful and steady leadership, guiding the process of developing the Faculty’s Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan centered on collegiality and well-being, and advancing curriculum, research capacity, and student learning spaces.
Her tenure has also been marked by sustained contributions to Indigenous excellence and Reconciliation as well as equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. This work includes the expansion of Indigenous scholarships and partnerships, and progress in Indigenous engagement evidenced by the Faculty Reconciliation Action Plan and the Forest School Initiative. Prof. Locher has strengthened the Faculty’s research and community profile by supporting the growth of interdisciplinary research and overseeing the establishment of the Community Design and Planning Centre, a new downtown presence that creates opportunities for community-engaged teaching and research.
Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), thanks these exemplary leaders for their service and commitment. “Each of these individuals is highly valued for their strong and collaborative leadership, as well as their contributions to university-wide committees and initiatives. They are respected members of the senior leadership team, and I thank each of them for accepting continued service in their roles as dean.”
Congratulations to all the appointees.
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