The Collegium of the University of St. Michael’s College is pleased to announce that Dr. David Sylvester has accepted a second term as the University’s 8th President and Vice-Chancellor. The appointment, effective July 1, 2023, marks Dr. Sylvester’s 6th term as a university/college president, and his 24th year in senior administration since being appointed the Founding President of Corpus Christi College in Vancouver in 1999.
One of Canada’s most experienced leaders in Catholic higher education, Dr. Sylvester has also served as Principal of St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia and as Principal of King’s University College at Western University.
Among his many accomplishments during his first term, Dr. Sylvester oversaw the federation of Regis College and St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, creating a groundbreaking new theologate. He also worked with the Loretto Sisters to assume the responsibilities of the historic Loretto College women’s residence.
“We are delighted that David Sylvester has agreed to serve another term as President,” says Rosanne Rocchi, who is Chair of Collegium, the University’s governing board of directors. “David initiated an important mission with St. Mike’s 180 (strategic plan). We are pleased that he will be able to continue realizing that vision and shepherding the many other initiatives he has stewarded to establish and continue USMC as an educational leader.”
The reappointment process began in 2021, when Collegium delegated authority to the Executive Committee to design and oversee the presidential review process prior to reappointment. The ensuing process included consultations with stakeholders both across the university and beyond. The overwhelmingly positive feedback led to a unanimous motion passed by Collegium to reappoint Dr. Sylvester to a second term.
“I am honoured to serve St. Michael’s as it continues on a path of revitalization and a recommitment to its historic mission to lead for change. The ambitious strategic initiatives conceived by this remarkable community inspire me in my work,” President Sylvester says.
“I am especially grateful to the leadership and support provided by our governing Collegium members; their critical engagement and support of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni exemplify the best in university governance in this country. It is a true privilege and a source of pride to work here, and I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue to live into our commitment to be Canada’s leading Catholic university,” he adds.
“David Sylvester’s re-appointment is an important step towards the ambitious goals of St. Mike’s 180 strategic plan,” says Paul Harris, who served as Chair of the Collegium when the process began. “David’s approach as President has resonated with students, faculty, and the administration. He has built a strong team around him, which will help St. Mike’s become the premier Catholic university in North America. David has built an inclusive community at St. Mike’s that treats everyone with dignity and respect and creates an environment for our students to be successful during their studies and after graduation.”
The Executive Committee continues to support Dr. Sylvester as he establishes ambitious goals for this second term.
“During the pandemic, this community responded compassionately and creatively as a source of hope for our immediate community. Our task now is to look beyond our campus to take up the responsibilities that face our graduates, our society, and our Church. St. Mike’s is committed to engaging in these new challenges and unleashing the limitless resources of our people to build up the common good,” Dr. Sylvester says.
Dr. Sylvester is a social economic historian whose area of research focuses on the nature of community in the Middle Ages. He is appointed Full Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Mediaeval Studies program in St. Michael’s College, is an Associate Fellow and Board Member at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, and holds a status appointment in the University of Toronto’s Centre for Medieval Studies.
He has an M.A. and a Ph.D. in mediaeval history from Fordham University, New York City, has taught in the departments of history at the University of British Columbia, Corpus Christi College, and Fordham University, and was a tenured associate professor in the department of history at King’s. He has served as the Chair of the Governance Committee of Universities Canada and as a member of the boards of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the Boston College Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education. He is the past Chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities of Canada.
Dr. Sylvester and his partner of thirty years, Dr. Allyson Larkin, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Social Justice and Peace Studies at King’s, have four children.
“David’s enthusiasm for leading USMC in a respectful and collegial manner has been a singular factor in making our campus an open and welcoming environment, building on our Catholic traditions and equipping our students to look forward with confidence to face the challenges of the future,” Rocchi says. “We are fortunate to have his leadership.”