Campus Principal for Cowichan Announced

Vice-President Academic, for Malaspina University-College, Dr. Leslie King, announced today that a new Campus Principal for Malaspina’s Cowichan Campus has been appointed. Maria Lauridsen, who has been acting in the position for the past 22 months, was the successful applicant in the selection process.

"We conducted a Canada-wide search to ensure we had the best person for the job," said King.  “We found that the best candidate was right here close to home. Maria's experience at the Cowichan Campus, her connectedness to the Cowichan Valley and her understanding of the learning needs of the citizens in the area made her an obvious choice.”

"I am very pleased with the outcome of the selection process," said Lauridsen. We have accomplished a great deal over the past twelve months and I look forward to continuing to work with our employees and the community to implement many of the exciting plans we have underway.” 

In particular, Lauridsen says she is eager to move forward the planning for Malaspina’s new Cowichan Campus Facility.  She is also gearing up to implement the Cowichan Valley Learning Strategy that was developed over the past few months.

 “I am committed to growing the Cowichan Campus into the first choice for adult learning for the people of our community.  I very much appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the community as the Campus Principal of Malaspina’s Cowichan Campus.”

Lauridsen has a Bachelor of Education Degree and an MBA from the University of Victoria. Prior to assuming the acting role of campus principal, Lauridsen worked as both an Instructional Director and Faculty member at Malaspina and was a faculty supervisor with the University of Victoria Faculty of Education.  She also taught as an executive instructor in Osaka in Japan for a year.

"Exciting things are taking shape at Malaspina’s Cowichan Campus.” said Malaspina President and CEO Dr. Ralph Nilson. “Having leadership in place that understands the needs of the community and the Post Secondary landscape in BC was critical to this appointment. Maria possesses all the skills and attributes we were looking for in the candidate that would move the campus forward. I know she will do an outstanding job on our behalf and on behalf of her community.”