The Faculty of Social Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Dawn Zinga as Acting Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research.

Zinga’s appointment follows the appointment of Diane Dupont as the Interim Dean of Graduate Studies. Dupont held the position of Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research in Social Sciences from July, 2013 until Dec. 31, 2017.

“We are delighted to welcome Dawn to her new role,” said Ingrid Makus, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. “We are grateful to her for stepping in and bringing her expertise and knowledge to serve the Faculty.”

Thomas Dunk, Interim Provost and Vice-President, Academic, echoed Makus’ enthusiasm for Zinga’s appointment.

“We are privileged to have Dawn step into the role,” said Dunk. “Her familiarity with interdisciplinary programs and research and with scholarship and teaching that serves First Nations students is an asset for the Faculty and for all of Brock University.”

Zinga joined the Department of Child and Youth Studies in 2002 as an instructor, and by 2005, she held a tenure-track position in the department. In 2015, she became chair of the department — a position she had to leave to accept her appointment in the Dean’s office.

A full professor and accomplished researcher and graduate supervisor, Zinga will now facilitate research activities oversee the Faculty’s eleven graduate programs, providing support to Graduate Program Directors and graduate students.

Zinga said she’s excited to work more closely with faculty, staff and students throughout Social Sciences.

“I believe that both the Faculty and Brock are at pivotal periods and poised to demonstrate the unique opportunities that our many programs have for graduate students,” she said. “I look forward to working collectively to ensure that potential is fully realized.”

Makus also expressed gratitude to Diane Dupont for her years of service.

“Diane’s dedication to research excellence, commitment to graduate student success, and leadership in moving the Faculty forward on all fronts have been simply outstanding. We are grateful for her extensive contributions to the flourishing of the Faculty and the University and wish her all the best in her new role in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.”

Dupont said she enjoyed her time as Associate Dean.

“It gave me the opportunity to better understand the broad spectrum of research being undertaken by faculty and students at Brock,” she said. “I particularly enjoyed chairing MA thesis defences and hearing about the many lines of inquiry being investigated by graduate students.”

Dupont also expressed gratitude to the many faculty members who provided valuable service in support of research and graduate activities, and to her colleagues in the Dean’s office.