WINNIPEG — The University of Winnipeg has turned to one of its most experienced academic leaders to steer the institution through an important period of change, appointing Dr. Jino Distasio as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor effective December 12, 2025.
The Board of Regents announced the appointment Friday, positioning Distasio — a longtime professor, administrator, and community advocate — to lead the university while a national search gets underway for a permanent president. His appointment comes at a time when the institution is preparing for strategic planning, ongoing enrolment pressures across the sector, and continued efforts to strengthen research and community partnerships.
Michelle Pereira, Chair of the Board of Regents, said the university required a leader with both deep institutional knowledge and the ability to provide stability during a transition that could stretch well into next year. “The Board is grateful to Dr. Jino Distasio for stepping into this role during this important time of transition,” Pereira said in a statement. “His experience and steady leadership will help ensure the University continues moving forward with confidence.”
Distasio’s selection marks a return to central leadership for a figure who has shaped key elements of the university’s academic and research agenda for more than two decades. He first joined the faculty roughly 25 years ago, teaching and supervising students in geography and urban studies. Over time, he became one of UWinnipeg’s most visible leaders, known not only for his scholarship but also for his extensive engagement with Winnipeg’s community development sector.
His administrative record is broad. For more than 10 years, Distasio served as Vice-President, Research and Innovation, a period characterized by significant growth in funded research activity and an expansion of the university’s Canada Research Chair program. More recently, he assumed multiple interim and acting roles across the institution, including Acting Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Acting Dean of Science and Kinesiology — responsibilities that required navigating operational complexities and supporting faculty through the academic cycle.
Colleagues often highlight Distasio’s energy and collaborative approach, attributes that appear to have weighed heavily in the Board’s decision. Throughout his career, he has worked across departments and with external partners to advance urban policy research and strengthen ties between the university and local organizations. He has contributed widely to national conversations on poverty reduction, transportation systems, homelessness, and inner-city renewal, making him a sought-after advisor to committees and boards in the community development sector.
Insiders say those relationships could prove especially beneficial as universities increasingly rely on external partnerships to enhance student opportunities and fund innovation. Distasio’s background in both research leadership and community engagement positions him to work across sectors at a moment when post-secondary institutions face heightened competition for students and resources.
For now, his immediate task will be ensuring continuity across university operations as the presidential search unfolds. That process, typically extensive, will involve consultations with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders before a shortlist is developed and candidates are interviewed. The Board of Regents plans to launch the search formally in early 2026. “The University will soon initiate the search process for a permanent president,” the statement noted. “More information about the process will be shared in the new year.”
Interim appointments at Canadian universities have become increasingly common as boards navigate complex leadership transitions, often opting for internal candidates who can provide stability without altering long-term strategic directions. Observers suggest that Distasio’s familiarity with UWinnipeg’s culture and priorities may allow him to maintain momentum on key initiatives, including research expansion, Indigenous engagement, and student support strategies.
While the university has not indicated how long the interim period may last, leadership transitions of this scope typically span several months to a year. In the meantime, the Board’s decision places an experienced hand at the helm — one whose academic background, administrative track record, and long-standing commitment to Winnipeg’s urban landscape have made him a prominent figure both on campus and in the broader community.
Distasio, widely regarded as a pragmatic problem-solver, is expected to begin meeting with campus groups in the coming weeks as he prepares to assume the role. As UWinnipeg enters this next chapter, his appointment signals the Board’s desire for continuity and cohesive direction at a pivotal moment for the institution.
