WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University board chair David Morrison announced today that president Dr. Mike DeGagné has resigned his position. 

“We are disappointed that Dr. DeGagné is unable to continue as president but respect his decision,” said David Morrison, chair of the Yukon University Board of Governors.  

“It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision. Yukon University is a fantastic institution. There is much to be proud of here. Yukon and Canada are fortunate to have such dedicated faculty, staff and executives working hard to make a difference for students, northerners and all Canadians,” said Dr. DeGagné. 

Effective immediately, the Yukon University Board of Governors has appointed Vice President University Services Dr. Maggie Matear as interim president and vice chancellor. 

UPDATED Sept. 3:

WHITEHORSE, YT — A student award that supported a single bursary of $500 annually will now support six students each year. This is thanks to the generosity of friends, family and two corporate donations. 
 
Paul and Helen Flaherty created the bursary in 2016 while Paul served as Yukon College Board of Governors chair. The award supports students engaged in university prep courses, which many know as upgrading, with the intention of enrolling in a credit program. 
 
From Paul’s time on the board, hearing directly from students on challenges they face in their educational journeys, he and Helen saw how precarious this first step of returning to post-secondary education can be. They endeavoured to support and encourage students at this initial stage.

WHITEHORSE, YT—With most credit program instruction taking place online in the Fall semester, YukonU is ensuring students can access in-person academic and personal supports at all 13 campuses.  

“We know the shift to online learning due to COVID-19 comes with the loss of social contact and sense of community on campus. We expect students to be in greater need of in-person supports than ever before, so this is where our focus will be,” said Dr. Janet Welch, vice president Academic and Student Services.  

“To protect the health and safety of students, employees and their loved ones, we can’t offer in-person classes, but we want credit students to know that campus supports are here for them,” added Welch. 

WHITEHORSE, YT & KELOWNA, BC—A new comprehensive, contemporary overview of Yukon First Nations peoples is now available as a free online resource for students and interested readers. 

ECHO: Ethnographic, Cultural and Historical Overview of Yukon’s First Nations Peoples was written and curated collaboratively by Dr. Victoria Elena Castillo and Tosh Southwick of Yukon University together with Dr. Christine Schreyer of University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus.  

WHITEHORSE, YT—Sheila Silva has joined Yukon University as director of Finance.

Silva was previously chief financial officer with the Northwest Territories Health & Social Services Authority. She also brings federal government experience from her time with Indigenous Services Canada, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Public Service Commission. 

“Sheila brings a wealth of experience in public-sector accounting and establishing financial policies and procedures. This background, together with her love of the North and commitment to cooperative leadership, make Sheila an outstanding addition to our YukonU team,” said Maggie Matear, vice-president University Services.