Lethbridge College will have new leaders in three of its academic centres for the 2019-20 academic year. Dr. Kevin Smith joins Lethbridge College as the new Dean of the Centre for Applied Arts and Sciences; Dr. Terry Kowalchuk is the new Dean of the Centre for Technology, Environment and Design; and Sheldon Anderson begins his first full year in the role of Dean of the Centre for Trades after taking over the position in January.
Dr. Smith is new to Lethbridge College, having most recently taught at the University of Northern British Columbia. Dr. Kowalchuk and Anderson are both long-time Lethbridge College employees who have served in a variety of roles.
“These appointments will build on and enrich the academic culture that we have cultivated at Lethbridge College,” says Dr. Samantha Lenci, Provost and Vice President Academic. “Each of our new Deans bring a valuable combination of industry and academic experience that allow them to connect with faculty, fight for students and lead the college into the future. They are energetic, innovative and excited to be a part of what happens next.”
Dr. Kevin Smith
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dr. Smith holds a joint Arts and Sciences degree (with majors in biology and chemistry) from the formerly named Napier College of Commerce and Technology. He earned a PhD from MRC Clinical Research Centre in Harrow, England. He has worked as a research chair in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Biomedical Sciences Department chair at Edinburgh Napier University, Dean of Graduate Programs at the University of Northern British Columbia and most recently as tenured faculty in Health Sciences at UNBC. Dr. Smith replaces Dr. Tim Heath who moved on to become Vice President Academic at Grande Prairie Regional College.
Dr. Terry Kowalchuk
Dr. Kowalchuk joined Lethbridge College in 1995 as an instructor in the School of Environmental Sciences. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Zoology) from Brandon University, a masters of Natural Resource Management from the University of Manitoba, and a PhD in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan. He has held a variety of positions at the college, including instructor, program coordinator, program leader, chair, interim Dean, and his most recent role as Associate Dean in the Centre for Technology, Environment and Design. He is actively engaged with a wide variety of industry partners, helping to conduct environmental and wildlife research. He takes over as Dean from Dr. Kenny Corscadden, who has moved into a fulltime role as Associate Vice President – Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Lethbridge College after beginning in that role part time in April 2018.
Sheldon Anderson
Anderson is a Lethbridge College alumnus who graduated from the Automotives program in 1987. He spent a decade farming and running his own automotive repair shop. He completed three journeyman trades programs, all with Red Seals, at Lethbridge College – Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician and Automotive Service Technician. Anderson began teaching at Lethbridge College in 2004 and became a chair in 2007. He was an instrumental leader in the development of the Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility and was heavily involved in the Possibilities are Endless campaign that led to the construction of that facility. Also an entrepreneur, Anderson won the Chinook Entrepreneurial Challenge and was featured on the Dragon’s Den television program for a company he created called inspectaCAR. Anderson replaced the now-retired Cal Whitehead as Dean of Trades in January.
Dr. Smith, Dr. Kowalchuk and Anderson join Dean of the Centre for Health and Wellness Deb Bardock, and Dean of the Centre for Justice and Human Services Dr. Jeanine Webber as leaders of the college’s five academic centres.