VIU Names New Dean of Education

September 27, 2017 - 2:30pm

Dr. David Paterson joins University in this key academic leadership role

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce Dr. David Paterson has recently taken on the key role of Dean for the Faculty of Education. Reporting to the Provost and VP Academic, the Dean of Education provides academic leadership to ensure the highest quality of instruction and program delivery for VIU students as well as entrepreneurial leadership to assist with program development and new initiatives.

“The strength of any Faculty of Education begins with quality professors, staff and students,” said Paterson. “It is a pleasure to be joining a team with a stellar reputation for excellence.”

Paterson has held many key roles within education. Most recently, he served for 10 years as an Associate Dean for the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University (SFU). In addition, he served as an academic coordinator for the counselling psychology Masters of Arts and Masters of Education programs at SFU and has worked as a K-12 teacher, school counsellor, counsellor educator and teacher educator. His career has spanned locations in Alberta and BC.

“We are entering an exciting time of change and innovation in British Columbia K-12 education,” Paterson said. “Our pre-service teachers are imparting 21st Century competencies for the next generations of students.”   

Dr. Paterson brings to this position a PhD (1999) from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Counselling Psychology. He has consistently served his industry at a high level throughout his career as Current President of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, Vice President for the International Association for Counselling and Former President and Honorary Life Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

When not leading the education faculty at VIU, Paterson can be found enjoying the company of his three grown children and life partner, Shirley. 

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