The Faculty of Arts and Science appoints two new associate deans

Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science welcomed two experienced faculty members to its administrative team on July 1. Richard Courtemanche is now associate dean of academic programs and Jill Didur is associate dean of faculty affairs.

“I want to thank the outgoing associate deans, Paul Joyce and Jason Camlot, who have done exceptional work in their respective tenures with these dossiers,” says André Roy, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science.

“Both of them have brought energy and enthusiasm to their roles and can be proud of their many accomplishments over the course of their terms. While they leave big shoes to fill, I couldn’t have asked for two better individuals than Richard and Jill to take up these positions.”

The incoming associate deans will help the faculty continue its efforts to grow smartly as a powerhouse of interdisciplinary collaboration in North America.

‘A fantastic opportunity to learn more’

Courtemanche, an associate professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, is trained in kinesiology and neuroscience. He says the study of the brain has long been a preoccupation of his.

He joined the department in 2002 and first stepped into an administrative role in 2005 as its graduate program director. He then spent two terms as departmental chair, which left him well prepared for his latest role.

“This period led to an overhaul of our department curriculum at all levels, from baccalaureate to the production of a new doctorate program,” Courtemanche says.

“It was also a time that followed many successful hires, with a need to align the programs to our identity and the changing landscape of health interventions in society. Emboldened by our progression, we even successfully tackled changing the name of the department (formerly Exercise Science).”

Courtemanche says being asked by the dean to manage the programs portfolio is a great privilege.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the great program designs across the faculty and university, along with the dynamic nature of their development and innovation. It is also a worthwhile opportunity to work in a very strong team always striving for excellence, to contribute to the faculty’s growth and well-being and ultimately to send off strong graduates who will influence tomorrow’s society.”

‘Our faculty hires top-notch researchers and teachers’

Didur, professor in the Department of English, covers the environmental humanities and postcolonial and media studies in her academic research and graduate supervision.

She served as department chair from 2012 to 2015. During her tenure, she ushered in the PhD in English program and oversaw the hiring and appointment of the department’s first Canada Research Chair. Didur also served on the Concordia Senate and the President’s Strategic Directions committee.

Recently, she served as the graduate program director in the Department of English and as a faculty representative on the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Hiring Committee for Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Communities.

“As associate dean of faculty affairs, I am excited to learn more about the academic mission of our faculty’s 27 units and to help support the faculty’s diverse and expanding interdisciplinary research and teaching profile,” Didur says.

“I look forward to assisting the dean in matters related to Concordia’s various collective agreements and faculty workloads and liaising with department chairs around these issues. Our faculty continues to hire top-notch researchers and teachers, and I am excited to assist the Dean’s Office in helping new and continuing faculty members navigate their critical path to tenure and promotion.”

Find out more about Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science.