Dr. Melanie Spence-Ariemma is currently serving as the Vice-Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the University of Guelph-Humber. She was previously the Dean of Student Affairs at the Michener Institute of Education at the University Health Network in Toronto. Prior to that she was the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at Sheridan College.

She possesses extensive experience as a senior academic leader in Ontario’s post-secondary sector with demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity, and excellence in teaching, learning and student services.

Spence-Ariemma holds a PhD. in Leadership and Policy from New York’s Niagara University; an MA in community college education from Central Michigan University; a B.Ed. in adult education from Brock University; an M.R.T., radiation therapy, from the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre; and a B.Sc. from McMaster University.

She has led and collaborated on pan-institutional and interdisciplinary initiatives and managed progressively large and complex projects with multiple stakeholders, including program moves and IT systems projects. She is passionate about the future of learning and through creativity and modernization, takes a thoughtful approach to overseeing academic and administrative endeavours.

Further, Dr. Spence-Ariemma was the Associate Vice-President (Academic Quality) and Dean of Academic Strategic Planning and Development at Sheridan College. Also, she has been a professor in the Medical Radiation Sciences program within the Mohawk-McMaster Medical Radiation Sciences Program, and an adjunct professor at Central Michigan University, Niagara College, and at Laurentian University. She was also an instructor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Radiation Oncology.

With knowledge and experience acquired from a range of sectors, she is well equipped to facilitate the execution of both academic and operational projects. Her goal is to inspire and empower the future leaders of tomorrow to continually grow, innovate, and learn throughout their lifetimes.