Trinity Western University is pleased to announce that Dr. Todd Martin has been appointed provost for an interim two-year term commencing August 1, 2022.
Dr. Todd Martin is dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), having completed his first five-year term on April 30.
Dr. Martin led over 20 program reviews as dean, resulting in significant positive changes in TWU’s academic offerings. Notably, his work in leading the Department of Religious Studies to re-envision their central role in the University as captured in the new name, the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies, opens the path for TWU to advance its mission and vision through greater investment in Christian theology and faith integration across the disciplines.
Dr. Martin is a member of TWU’s strategic planning committee launched in January, a diverse team that is spearheading a University-wide strategic planning process to help TWU give focus to a well-supported and deeply considered vision of the future. As part of this work, Dr. Martin co-chaired a subcommittee in April and May to create strategies that support TWU in delivering a distinctive, integrated Christian liberal arts education.
Currently, he serves on the core curriculum advisory team, the faculty work environment committee, and the University leadership council, a cross-functional team of senior TWU leaders. Seeking to strengthen TWU’s external relations, Dr. Martin has helped to establish greater academic partnerships with Catholic Pacific College, Columbia Bible College and more recently, Regent College.
Additionally, Dr. Martin brings a wealth of leadership experiences from the church and marketplace, including roles as pastor and financial advisor. Prior to his role as dean, he served on the faculty association executive, and as assistant dean in FHSS responsible for budgeting and financial planning.
Beyond strategic and administrative leadership, Dr. Martin has been a faculty member at TWU since 2008, teaching in the areas of sociology and family studies. He completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia in sociology of family. He also holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in theology and sociology, and a Master of Arts in Family Studies. He has published over a dozen peer reviewed journal articles and coauthored Families Across the Life Course and Family Theories: An Introduction, now in its 5th edition. He is the managing editor of the Journal of Comparative Family Studies, a member of the National Council on Family Relations, and a Certified Family Life Educator.
Outgoing provost Dr. W. Robert Wood remarks, "It has been my pleasure to work with Dr. Todd Martin during his tenure as dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and to witness how his past experiences have equipped him to thrive in academic administration. I look forward to seeing how God will use Todd as he provides leadership in the role of provost at Trinity Western University."
After providing Trinity Western with a decade of leadership as provost and superintending the University's academic unit during an unprecedented season amidst a pandemic, Dr. Wood will enjoy a well-deserved year-long sabbatical beginning in August. Upon returning from sabbatical, Dr. Wood, who is a theoretical physicist, will return to teaching in the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.
President Husbands remarks, "A decade of service as provost is a tremendous accomplishment, and I am grateful for Dr. Wood’s earnest commitment to the University. As we look towards this season of transition, I encourage the campus community to express our gratitude to Dr. Wood and to give our fullest support to Dr. Martin as he begins his new role."
"Dr. Martin is a scholar educator with a servant’s heart, boundless compassion, keen analytical abilities, entrepreneurial spirit, and firm grasp of the unique value of a Christian liberal arts university. I am confident that Dr. Martin will listen well, honour differences, act with grace and integrity, and find creative and effective ways for everyone to contribute to the mission and vision of the University.”
Strong recommendation and support of Dr. Martin’s candidacy has been received from members of the Provost’s Office as well as leaders across campus. We thank our colleagues who have helped to finalize an appropriate provost succession plan.
Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Jaime Palmer-Hague remarks, “Dr. Todd Martin has been a visionary leader as TWU’s dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. His admiration and respect for faculty, as well as his commitment to Christ-centred education at TWU, helps bring us together as a community of scholars. Dr. Martin works tirelessly to improve policies, procedures, and academic conditions for both faculty and students at our university. I look forward to his leadership as provost.”
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Todd Martin as provost.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.