UM leadership

UM welcomes Laurene Rehman as Dean of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Dr. Rehman will begin her appointment starting July 1, 2026.

Laurene Rehman
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Estimated Read Time:
1 minute

The University of Manitoba has appointed Dr. Laurene Rehman as dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031. She will also hold an appointment as tenured professor in the Faculty.

Dr. Rehman joins UM from Dalhousie University, where she currently serves as the Director of the School of Health and Human Performance and Assistant Dean of Research (Students). Since joining Dalhousie in 2000, she has held a range of academic and administrative leadership roles, including Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies and President of the Dalhousie Faculty Association.

I am confident that Dr. Rehman’s commitment to collaborative and collegial leadership, student experience, Indigenous excellence, EDIA, and research will well serve the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and the university as a whole.

Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Dr. Rehman holds a Master of Arts in Behavioral and Managerial Research from the University of British Columbia and a Ph.D. in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on understanding access to recreation and leisure – particularly physically active leisure – for families. 

She has taught a variety of courses, mostly in the area of recreation management. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Rehman has been intentional in advancing access and understanding for underrepresented groups. This includes teaching courses and supervising graduate research on leisure experiences for persons with disabilities, as well as Indigenous and immigrant communities. Her work has been recognized through numerous awards and research funding, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing sustainable health and wellness for all.

In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Laurene Rehman has been actively involved in service and community engagement. She has served as president of several non-for-profit boards in both the recreation and low-income housing sectors.

The opportunities for the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management to build healthy communities through the study and practice of physical activity, human movement, sport, leisure, health, and well-being at the University of Manitoba are impressive.

Laurene Rehman

"The faculty, staff, students, and community partners are already known for their excellence," Dr. Rehman continues. "I am particularly inspired by the potential to deepen this work through a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous engagement.”

The University of Manitoba looks forward to welcoming Dr. Rehman and to the leadership she will bring to the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management.