Jana Luker has been appointed to a five-year term as Western University’s Associate Vice-President (Student Experience), beginning June 1.
Luker is currently Executive Director (Services for Students) at McGill University, a portfolio she has led since 2007. Prior to joining McGill, Luker held several student-focused leadership positions at Canadian universities including the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto, and most recently at St. Francis Xavier University where she was Vice-President (Student Services) from 2004 to 2007.
“I am confident Jana will provide creative and effective leadership for this vital new portfolio as it increases focus and attention on building Western’s strength as Canada’s best student experience,” said Janice Deakin, Western’s Provost & Vice-President (Academic).
With undergraduate degrees in psychology, women’s studies, physical education and health education from Guelph and Toronto and a Master of Education in counseling psychology from Toronto, Luker has also undertaken doctoral level work in applied psychology at Toronto.
“Western embodies my passion for promoting student success and I am thrilled to be a part of Western’s unique place in Canadian higher education.,” said Luker.
Luker will succeed Angie Mandich, who has served as Acting AVP (Student Experience) during the transitional period since this new portfolio was created in April 2014.