TORONTO, July 2, 2025 – The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) welcomes Deborah MacLatchy, President and Vice-Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, as the next Vice-Chair of COU, effective July 1, 2025, for a one-year term.
A distinguished biologist with extensive experience in research, teaching and administration, Dr. MacLatchy has served as Laurier’s president since 2017. Previously, she was dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Science from 2007 to 2009 and served as provost and vice-president: academic from 2009 until 2017.
During her tenure at Laurier as president, she has launched the Laurier Strategy: 2019-2024 and subsequent Laurier Strategic Action Plan, centered on themes of thriving community and future readiness, which have guided the university through growth and innovation. She has also led the expansion of Laurier’s multi-campus model, securing provincial approval for a new Milton campus, which welcomed its first cohort of students in 2024.
Beyond her role at Laurier, President MacLatchy has also served in a number of governance capacities in the post-secondary sector, including chairing the Ontario University Athletics board, co-chairing the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) board, and serving as vice-chair of the Ontario Research and Education Network (ORION) board. She holds an Institute of Corporate Directors designation, representing a lifelong commitment to excellence in the boardroom.
President MacLatchy holds an honours BSc from Acadia University and a PhD in zoology from the University of Manitoba. She is a founding fellow and past chair of the science directors of the Canadian Rivers Institute, and is a past-president and council member of the Canadian Society of Zoologists.
She has been recognized for her many achievements with a number of significant awards, including an honorary doctorate from Acadia University in 2016 and the 2015 Recognition Award from the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada. As well, she was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women for 2012 in a Top 100 list compiled by the Women’s Executive Network.
In her role as Vice-Chair of COU, President MacLatchy will collaborate with university leaders, government, and sector partners across Ontario to advance our collective goal – building a brighter future for students, communities, and the province.
As we welcome President MacLatchy into her new role, COU would also like to extend special recognition and thanks to Alan Shepard, President and Vice-Chancellor of Western University, for his steadfast leadership and contributions at COU. President Shepard played a leadership role in providing unwavering support in advancing student success, promoting research and innovation and driving community economic development.
We also extend our gratitude to this year’s outgoing Executive Heads, including Asima Vezina, President and Vice-Chancellor, Algoma University, Charlotte Yates, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph, David Farrar, President and Vice-Chancellor, McMaster University, Jacques Fremont, President and Vice-Chancellor University of Ottawa, Meric Gertler, President, University of Toronto and Robert Gordon, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Windsor for their outstanding leadership, thoughtful collaboration, and lasting contributions to Ontario’s university sector.
Dr. Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University remains COU’s current Chair and continues to provide strong leadership and vision for the sector.