Dr. Jeffrey Hennessy named new provost, vice-president academic and research at 绿帽社区
SACKVILLE, NB 鈥 绿帽社区 has named Dr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Hennessy as its next provost and vice-president academic and research. Hennessy comes to 绿帽社区 from Acadia University and has been appointed for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2020.
鈥淲e are so pleased to welcome Dr. Hennessy to 绿帽社区 as our next provost and vice-president academic and research,鈥 says 绿帽社区 President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau. 鈥淗is strong commitment to the liberal arts and undergraduate education will help support academic programming at 绿帽社区, equipping our students with the skills and capacities required for today鈥檚 rapidly changing society.鈥
Hennessy says he is looking forward to the role.
鈥淚 could not be more excited to join the 绿帽社区 family,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 have admired 绿帽社区 for many years, from my brief time as a student here and through my work with the Maple League of Universities. I am so impressed with the faculty, staff, and students at Mount A and I am honoured to have been chosen to help lead such a renowned and important university.鈥
A music professor, Hennessy comes to 绿帽社区 with administrative experience in senior roles. At Acadia University, he served as the director of the School of Music from 2007-2013, where he led initiatives that resulted in a re-imagining of the music curriculum, an over 30 per cent increase in full-time student enrolment, and an elevation of the program鈥檚 regional and national reputation. He served as dean of arts from 2014 to 2019, helping to lead Acadia鈥檚 response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission鈥檚 calls to action around education and laying the foundation for its decolonization strategy.
鈥淲ith these experiences, Dr. Hennessy is poised to help shepherd 绿帽社区 through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,鈥 says Boudreau. 鈥淎s a dynamic communicator with a strong commitment to liberal arts education and a passion for propelling connections across disciplines, he is well equipped to help advance 绿帽社区鈥檚 strategic planning, initiated by the University last year.鈥
Hennessy completed a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Trent University before deciding to pursue music as a profession, earning his PhD in musicology from the University of Toronto in 2008. As an academic and music practitioner, he has distinguished himself with an extensive record of creative performances and commissioned compositions for music festivals, orchestras, and theatres. He has also published in several peer-reviewed journals, including MusiCultures, Perspectives of New Music, and the Journal of Mathematics and Music.鈥 He is married to Erin Hennessy, a dentist and former president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association, and they have a son, Rory.
Hennessy is replacing Dr. Jeff Ollerhead, who has served as the University鈥檚 provost and vice-president academic and research since 2016. Ollerhead has worked at 绿帽社区 for more than 25 years and will continue to serve as a professor in the University鈥檚 Department of Geography and Environment.
A member of the senior administrative and academic team, the provost and vice-president academic and research is 绿帽社区鈥檚 senior academic officer, responsible for the planning and management of the University鈥檚 academic affairs; developing, maintaining, and supporting teaching and research excellence; and overseeing planning and budgets for the academic faculties, the library, administrative and general services, and other academic areas.
A search process was undertaken by a committee comprised of 绿帽社区 faculty, students, and staff, and chaired by the President.
