Closing Panel

Janice Deakin became president and CEO of the Higher Education Quality Council (HEQCO) on August 1, 2020.

Janice joined HEQCO after serving as provost and vice-president (academic) at Western University from 2010 where her position included senior executive oversight of 12 faculties/schools, faculty relations, the registrar’s office, institutional planning and budgeting, the university library system, information technology services and the McIntosh Gallery. Prior to that she spent 24 years at Queen’s University in various academic and administrative appointments culminating in her role as associate vice-principal (academic) and dean of graduate studies. Janice holds three undergraduate degrees from Queen’s University in psychology, physical education and education. She earned her Master of Science at McMaster University and her doctorate in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. In 2014, she was named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network.

Dr. Roopa's professional career has been focused on international education. She first became interested in these issues as an international student returning to her home country and was subsequently exposed to the formal profession through her work with the Fulbright Commission in India where she facilitated academic exchanges between Indian and US academics and students. In Canada, she has worked mainly at the institutional policy level in internationalizing curriculum and student learning experiences. Her attempts to bridge the gap between research, policy and practice in the field, led to the publication of national conference proceedings, with two esteemed colleagues, Dr. Glen Jones and Dr. Adrian Shubert, titled: Canada's Universities Go Global (2009).

Dr. Diane Lesley Simpson is a distinguished academic leader and scholar whose work seamlessly integrates her passion for internationalization and learner-centered education. Holding a PhD in Higher Education and Comparative, International, and Development Education from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), Dr. Simpson’s research explores innovative models in global higher education. As Principal of Humber Downtown Campus, she has championed learner-centered education, spearheading initiatives that enhance global engagement and learner success. Her leadership extends to establishing innovative mentorship programs and industry networks, benefiting over 1,700 international graduate students. 

Elizabeth Buckner is an Associate Professor of Higher Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Higher Education for Sustainable Global Development. Her research examines how global trends affect higher education policies, institutional practices, and students’ lives. In 2014, she completed a PhD in International and Comparative Education and Sociology and Education at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.