Looking ahead with an open mind
Chad London, PhD, starts 2023 off MRU’s new Provost and Vice-President, Academic, and is ready to connect with the incredible people who choose to study and work at Mount Royal University
— Mount Royal University | Posted: January 3, 2023
London returns to Mount Royal with an open mind, ready to observe and learn, while also bringing people and teams together to realize plans and achieve what has yet to be imagined.
Dr. Chad London, PhD, has been eagerly anticipating his first day at MRU as provost and vice-president, Academic. Energetic and ready to jump in and get involved with the great work already taking place across campus, when asked what he’s looking forward to most in his new role, the answer is connecting with the incredible people MRU is known to have in its community.
“You can tell when someone is an employee, current student or graduate of Mount Royal University,” London explains. “Staff and faculty are exceptionally talented and that is imparted onto students in the classroom, along with the many interactions through support services offered on campus. Not to mention, there is a signature level of care that unites everyone to meet the needs of students and work towards common goals.”
This is high praise from someone who has yet to complete his first week as provost, but London is very familiar with Mount Royal following almost two decades of experience working at the University in a variety of roles, including dean of the Faculty of Health, Community and Education, from 1996 to 2016. He returns following a stop at the University of Saskatchewan, where he served as dean of the College of Kinesiology for the past six years.
The time London spent away in a neighbouring province gave him a chance to further develop his skills as a senior academic leader, he says. He is proud of the meaningful connections he cultivated on behalf of USask during his time there, which included assisting steps being taken to indigenize and providing increased opportunities for students to learn in the community.
London returns to Mount Royal with an open mind, ready to observe and learn, while also bringing people and teams together to realize plans and achieve what has yet to be imagined. London sees teaching as an area MRU excels at, along with research and scholarship that further elevates instruction and the student experience. As provost, he plans to build on what MRU does well while supporting others to attain their goals.
“I have been described as a servant leader,” London says. “Supporting people is one of my strengths; I genuinely want to see others succeed in areas that get them excited, and develop as leaders themselves.”
One of Mount Royal’s attributes that made coming back to the university an appealing next step in his career is its commitment to indigenization and decolonization and equity, diversity and inclusion. London, who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership, believes in taking purposeful steps to enact change and evolve as an institution through collaboration. He has observed that this is part of the Mount Royal culture and is inspired to help lead academic programs at a university with values similar to his own.
His guiding light of “people first” doesn't only apply to his professional life. Outside of work, London is a proud father to three adult children and recently celebrated 28 years of marriage to his wife, Kenda. They can be found outside together on long walks, being active and enjoying time as a family.
London looks forward to greeting faculty and employees at the upcoming Leaders’ Dialogue on Jan. 16 at the Bella Concert Hall. All are invited to attend and learn more about London and his vision as provost. Watch for more details in the coming days.