Jul 15, 2010

Langara College is excited to announce the appointment of three new deans. The College welcomes Dr. John Douglas Belshaw as the new Dean of Social Sciences and Management; Margaret Heldman, new Dean of Science; and Dr. Julie Longo, new Dean of Arts. Heldman’s appointment is effective immediately; Belshaw and Longo join the College on September 1, 2010. These appointments are a significant part of Langara’s strategic reorganization of its academic leadership structure. Working closely with the Vice-President Academic and Provost, as well as with the Associate Vice-President Academic and with the faculty, the deans will drive academic planning and will shape Langara’s program offerings.  

“We are fortunate to have found three individuals who are strong scholars, collaborators, and academic leaders,” said Dr. Martin Gerson, Langara College Vice-President Academic and Provost. “Langara has long had excellent faculty. Our new deans will provide strong leadership to the faculty to support their teaching and give shape to their curriculum. Their appointments strengthen the College, giving us the resources to more effectively implement our strategic plan to provide our students with more relevant programs, stronger support, and more choices and opportunities.” 

Belshaw, the new Dean of Social Science and Management, was previously with North Island College in Courtney, BC in the role of Associate Vice-President, Education and Research. In his new position, he will be responsible for the Social Sciences Division as well as the Business and Community Programs Division, which includes the Langara School of Management. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics and a M.A. in history from Simon Fraser University. 

Heldman, the new Dean of Science, has been a Langara College faculty member since 1980. Her previous roles at the College include: Acting Dean of Instruction; Chair, Mathematics and Sciences Division; and Vice-Chair, Education Council. In her new role, she will be responsible for the Mathematics and Sciences Division as well as the Health Sciences Division. Heldman holds a M.Sc. in Chemistry from McGill University.

Longo, the new Dean of Arts, was previously with the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan where she held the positions of Associate Professor and Chair of Liberal Arts since 2006.  In her new role, she will be responsible for the Humanities and Creative Arts Divisions. Longo holds a Ph.D. in history from Wayne State  University and a M.A. in history from McMaster University. 

Langara College, located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies programs and courses to more than 20,000 students annually. The College’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students to choose their own educational path. The College offers three bachelor’s degrees as well as a comprehensive variety of associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and citations.

Media contact:
Ian Humphreys, Ph.D.
Director, Communications & Marketing Services
Langara College
604-323-5671
news@langara.bc.ca