The University of Winnipeg is moving toward a leadership transition after announcing the immediate departure of President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Todd Mondor. The decision, disclosed Tuesday by the Board of Regents, comes as the institution begins implementing a new five-year strategic plan that will shape its academic priorities, financial direction, and community partnerships.
In its statement, the Board said Dr. Mondor “is no longer with the University, effective immediately,” and offered thanks for his contributions during his time in office. No specific reason for the leadership change was provided, though the Board framed the decision as part of a broader effort to align executive leadership with the institution’s evolving priorities.
“As we begin a bold new five-year strategic plan, we believe it’s necessary for the University to refocus our leadership,” said Michelle Pereira, Chair of the Board of Regents. “This decision was made with careful consideration and extensive deliberation.”
The Board is now working to appoint interim leadership and expects to do so within weeks. Until a formal interim President and Vice-Chancellor is named, Dr. Pavlina Radia will step in to provide leadership in an acting capacity. The Board emphasized continuity and operational stability during the transition.
“Ensuring there is minimal disruption to everyone is important to the Board. We will work together with the interim leadership to ensure that stability and consistency are paramount,” Pereira said.
The leadership change marks a significant moment for the mid-sized Manitoba institution, which has been navigating long-term financial pressures, evolving student demands and intensified competition within the post-secondary sector. The new strategic plan, released earlier this year, is expected to shape decisions around academic programming, research priorities, enrolment strategies, and partnerships with Indigenous communities and industry.
The Board indicated it has begun early discussions on the search for the university’s next president but said the process will be deliberate, inclusive and guided by community engagement.
“Guided by our mission of excellence in post-secondary education, we anticipate a fulsome search that will take some time,” Pereira said. “In keeping with our values, we want to engage and gather input from our community: stakeholders, students, faculty, staff, and the public. This is their university, and its next leader must reflect that.”
No timeline has been set for the formal presidential search, which universities often conduct through national or international recruitment firms. The Board signalled that stakeholder consultations will precede any appointment and that further details will be made public as the process moves forward.
The University of Winnipeg, located on Treaty One Territory in downtown Winnipeg, has positioned itself in recent years as a research-active institution known for its Indigenous engagement initiatives, applied and interdisciplinary programs, and community-focused mandate. Leadership transitions at the presidential level are typically infrequent, making the announcement particularly notable for university governance and the broader post-secondary landscape in Manitoba.
Dr. Mondor, who stepped into the role following a long academic career and senior administrative positions at the University of Manitoba, had overseen several initiatives during his tenure, including strategic planning work, student supports and academic program development. The Board did not disclose whether Mondor would have continuing involvement with the university in any capacity.
For UWinnipeg, the appointment of interim leadership and eventual selection of a new president will carry implications for financial planning, labour relations, government engagement and institutional strategy—a set of responsibilities magnified by ongoing pressures felt across Canadian universities, including enrolment fluctuations, rising operating costs and expectations for expanded student services.
The Board encouraged members of the university community and the public to follow updates as the transition progresses. A link to the newly launched strategic plan was also shared, outlining the goals that will inform the leadership search and institutional direction over the coming years: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/strategic-plan/.
