Dean's Update & Special Advisor Announcement

Dear OISE Community,

As we look forward to the start of the long weekend and what marks the beginning of UofT summer hours, I want to thank everyone for your good work and support of our community over the past academic year. It has been an exciting, challenging and generative time filled with new ideas and initiatives while also deepening our understanding of the strength of OISE and the important evolving role of our university and institute in the world.  

In the coming weeks, please stay tuned as I will be sharing a few updates with the community regarding academic planning as well as faculty appointments and achievements. At this time, I am delighted to share the following announcement:  

Special Advisor to the Dean for School and Community Partnerships

Professor Ann Lopez has been named Special Advisor to the Dean for School and Community Partnerships for 2024-2026. Professor Lopez is well known for her expertise in leadership for diversity, with deep connections to schools, communities, and organizations supporting young people’s development. As special advisor to the Dean, Ann will help to craft efforts that heighten OISE’s research and practice ties to schools and school boards in Toronto, across Ontario and Canada, and globally. Working alongside the OISE senior leadership team, the role will build on existing faculty, student and alumni connections to further advance OISE’s strong interdisciplinary research, policy, and practice within and beyond schools. Professor Lopez will also support our academic priorities and ongoing progress in developing and enhancing curricula and programs related to OISE’s school and community partnership goals. Please join me in welcoming Ann to this new and important special advisor role.

I hope that your summer brings the opportunity to reconnect with those closest to you. I am personally looking forward to hosting my family here in a few weeks and exploring the city and Ontario together. Safe journey to all those traveling, and my very best wishes for a restful and rejuvenating summer ahead.

Warmly,

Erica

Erica N. Walker
Professor and Dean
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto