UVic’s New President Brings a Tech Disruptor's Playbook to Academia

VICTORIA, BC – June 02, 2026 – The University of Victoria has announced it is appointing Dr. Rhonda McEwen, a globally recognized researcher in artificial intelligence and human-machine interaction, as its ninth president and vice-chancellor. The move signals a decisive strategic bet that the future of higher education will be shaped not in the ivory tower, but at the dynamic intersection of technology, industry, and community. McEwen, whose three-decade career spans the private tech sector and senior academic leadership, is uniquely positioned to pilot the institution through the next wave of industrial and social disruption.

McEwen’s appointment, effective October 14, 2026, concludes a comprehensive international search. In selecting her, the UVic Board of Governors has chosen a leader whose resume reads less like a traditional academic administrator and more like a systems architect for the digital age. Before entering higher education, she spent over 15 years in management consulting and digital communication at corporate giants like Deloitte and IBM. This background, combined with a PhD in Information and an MBA in Information Technology, provides her with a rare, bilingual fluency in the languages of both corporate strategy and academic inquiry.

“Dr. Rhonda McEwen is an energetic and approachable leader, with the ability to build authentic relationships across the campus, Vancouver Island and the globe,” said UVic Board of Governors Acting Chair Erinn Pinkerton in the official announcement. This emphasis on partnerships is key; McEwen is not just an academic who studies technology, but a proven builder of the cross-sector collaborations that drive innovation.

A Leader Forged at the Intersection of Industry and Innovation

Dr. McEwen’s career trajectory is a case study in strategic integration. Her private sector experience wasn't a detour, but a foundational element of her approach. It informs her current work as the Canada Research Chair in Tactile Interfaces, Communication and Cognition, where she studies the social and cognitive effects of technologies. Her research delves into the very fabric of our modern world: how we interact with machines, how AI shapes society, and how technology can be developed equitably. This isn't abstract theory; it's the operational reality for every modern business and institution.

Her leadership at the University of Toronto, most recently as president of Victoria University, was marked by this same forward-looking, integrative approach. Colleagues from her tenure there describe her leadership as “transformative.” She is credited with successfully guiding the institution through its post-pandemic recovery, enhancing its financial stability with disciplined, data-informed planning, and strengthening its academic offerings. Before her presidency, as Director of the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology at U of T Mississauga, she transformed the institute into a standalone academic unit and introduced a professional experience certificate in digital media—a clear example of her ability to build bridges between academic programs and real-world industry needs.

A Strategic Pivot Toward a Tech-Centric Future

The decision to bring an AI-fluent leader to the helm is a significant strategic move for the University of Victoria. It suggests an ambition to do more than just participate in the digital economy; it signals a desire to lead and shape it. With McEwen’s expertise, the university is poised to embed AI literacy and digital fluency across its curriculum, preparing students not for the jobs of today, but for the industries of tomorrow. Her research on human-machine communication could spawn new interdisciplinary research clusters that attract top-tier talent and funding, solidifying UVic's reputation as a research powerhouse.

McEwen herself seems to recognize this potential, stating, “I look forward to representing a university that already has such a strong reputation in the academic community for tackling complex problems in new and creative ways.” Her background suggests she sees UVic's existing strengths in areas like environmental science and Indigenous-led scholarship as a platform upon which to build a new layer of technological innovation and partnership.

Her arrival also brings a welcome period of stability. The university has been in a state of transition following the abrupt departure of its former president in August 2025. McEwen will succeed Acting President Qwul'sih'yah'maht, Robina Thomas, who has been widely praised for her steady leadership and for deepening the university’s commitment to Indigenous engagement. McEwen’s own deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion—as the first Black woman to lead a Canadian university, this is both a personal and professional focus—is expected to build upon this crucial work.

Redefining the University's Role in the Community

Perhaps most critically for the business leaders who read this column, Dr. McEwen’s appointment signals a shift in how the university views its role within the broader community. Her extensive private-sector experience means she understands the imperatives of industry and the mechanics of job creation. She has a track record of turning ambition into action through strategic partnerships.

In her own words, she passionately believes in higher education and wants to “make sure we put forward the best experience for students while providing value to our local communities and the world.” This isn't just rhetoric. Her personal involvement in projects like AIDE Canada, which uses technology to support individuals with autism, demonstrates a core belief that university research must translate into tangible social and economic benefits. She views universities as engines that can “strengthen communities, drive job creation and fuel business growth.”

For Vancouver Island and British Columbia, this means the University of Victoria under Dr. McEwen’s leadership is likely to become a more proactive and accessible partner. Expect to see a renewed focus on experiential learning that embeds students in local businesses, increased collaboration between university researchers and the regional tech sector, and a strategic vision that aligns the institution's vast intellectual resources with the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the community. Her tenure will be a fascinating test of how a leader with a tech disruptor's DNA can re-engineer a traditional institution to become a central hub in a thriving, 21st-century innovation ecosystem.