Dr. Vicki St. Pierre, associate professor of Music, has been appointed as Mount Allison’s interim Dean of Arts. St. Pierre’s appointment is until July 1, 2021.

“I am very pleased to welcome Dr. St. Pierre to role of Interim Dean of Arts,” says Dr. Jeff Hennessy, Mount Allison Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research. “In my short time as Provost, I have been very impressed by the creativity and energy of the Faculty of Arts, and I think Vicki will provide excellent leadership in supporting further innovation during the challenging year ahead.”

St. Pierre has taught at Mount Allison since 2015, specializing in voice. She also served as acting Director of Drama for a year and brings significant leadership experience to her new role. A seasoned concert and opera singer, St. Pierre has sung on stages and with performers and ensembles around the globe including Ensemble Masques de Montreal, the Cleveland Opera, Portland Baroque Orchestra, and Early Music Vancouver. Mount Allison community members will also remember her dynamic rendition of the Alma Mater song at several formal University ceremonies and celebrations.

“I am delighted to be named the interim Dean of Arts and look forward to working with students and colleagues across campus in this new role,” says St. Pierre. “The Faculty of Arts at Mount Allison has many wonderful students, teachers, and researchers with remarkable, collaborative spirits, and that energy is exciting and contagious.”

St. Pierre is joining Dr. Amanda Cockshutt (biochemistry and chemistry) and Dr. Nauman Farooqi (Commerce) in the Deans’ office. She is following Dr. Andrew Nurse who served as Dean of Arts this past year. A long-time professor in Mount Allison’s Canadian Studies department and the University’s Centre for Canadian Studies, Nurse is also the Purdy Crawford Professor of Teaching and Learning.

In addition to her teaching duties and performances during the academic year, St. Pierre is currently teaching online voice lessons and other educational sessions for Mount Allison’s Summer Academy of Music, being held virtually this summer for the first time.

Each of Mount Allison’s three faculties – Arts, Sciences, and Social Sciences — is headed by an academic dean. The dean is responsible for: promoting quality teaching and learning within the faculty; encouraging faculty professional development; administering student academic advising; supporting faculty and student research; and managing the faculty budget. The Deans work closely with faculty members in their areas as well as the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research and other members of the senior administration team.