Anna Lathrop has been appointed as the inaugural Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning.

Brock University’s Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Murray Knuttila is pleased to announce that award-winning professor and widely respected academic Dr. Anna Lathrop has been appointed as the inaugural Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning.

A Brock graduate herself, Lathrop has been teaching at the University since 1989 and during her career has served in numerous senior capacities, including department chair, Interim Dean, and, since 2005, as Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

The appointment took effect Aug. 1, 2012. In her new role, Lathrop will have responsibility for co-ordinating initiatives designed to further enhance the University’s teaching and learning culture through a full range of traditional, experiential and innovative pedagogies. The position reports to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, and will also sit on the University’s Senior Administrative Council.

Knuttila called the announcement “a very significant step in the University’s trajectory to reinforce itself as a centre of educational excellence.”

“Brock has a long and proud tradition of excellence in teaching and learning,” Knuttila said.

“Creating this senior position is a demonstration of the University’s commitment to continuously advancing our innovative pedagogy. We are extremely fortunate that the role is being taken on by someone of Anna’s credentials, vision and leadership.”

Lathrop said she is looking forward to this new challenge.

“I am both delighted and honoured to have been selected for this position and I look forward to working with all sectors of the University as we build on our historic strengths and meet the challenges of the future,” she said.

“I welcome the opportunity to collectively craft a comprehensive teaching and learning plan that will further support and uniquely distinguish Brock University’s teaching and learning culture.”

Earlier this year, Lathrop (BPhed, Brock, ’78; M.A., UWO, ’89; Ed.D, U of T, ’97) was honoured with a 2012 Chancellor’s Chair for Teaching Excellence Award.

This was the latest distinction in a career that has also included a national 3M Teaching Fellowship of Canada Award (2001), Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Teaching Award (2007), Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Outstanding Contribution to University Teaching (2000), the Brock University Distinguished Teaching Award (2000), and the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award (2008).