Dr. Stephanie M. Dimech Named Dean and Campus Principal for Niagara University in Ontario

Dr. Stephanie M. Dimech has been named dean and campus principal for Niagara University in Ontario. In this role, she will lead the university in deepening the footprint of Niagara University in Vaughan by advancing Niagara's mission and strategic growth of the Vaughan campus. She will also guide the development of partnerships which foster the advancement of graduate students in most-needed career fields, as well as those which contribute to the economic and social development of the province.

"Dr. Dimech's demonstrated leadership in higher education, academic excellence and quality, and career pathways for students will be essential in continuing the momentum we have created to become the premier binational institution in Ontario," said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. "I look forward to the exceptional leadership and vision she will bring to our university."

Dr. Dimech began her career in the Ontario college sector two decades ago as a faculty member at Sheridan College prior to progressing into academic leadership roles, including dean, human services and community safety and campus principal at Georgian College. Dr. Dimech has gone on to hold senior leadership roles that included overseeing programming, governance, policy, quality assurance processes, and supporting various academic units and teams across the institution, most recently as dean, academic excellence and innovation, at Cambrian College.

Her experience includes oversight of wholistic strategic enrolment management and planning; multiple programs and activities, including quality and institutional research; financial accountability and sustainability; and embedding and responding to Indigenous awareness and calls to action, inclusive excellence, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Dr. Dimech holds a Ph.D. in leadership and a master's degree in education from the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She earned her bachelor of social work with a minor in public administration from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson Polytechnic University).

Niagara University's campus in Ontario is located in the Vaughan Metropolitan Center. Enrolling over 600 post-baccalaureate and graduate students, Niagara University offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Education program and master's degrees in educational leadership, business administration, finance, information security and digital forensics, criminal justice and disaster and emergency preparedness. Niagara University operates under consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities since 1984.