It is with great honour that Trinity Western University announces the appointment of Phil Laird, Ph.D., as the Vice President of Innovation, Global and Academic Partnerships. Along with assuming his new role, Laird has joined the University’s Executive Leadership Team.
Functioning as the Chief Innovation Officer, with a significant institutional responsibility for international recruitment and engagement, Laird will maintain a large and growing network of international relationships for TWU and will represent the University at key international events with universities and governments worldwide.
President Mark Husbands expressed, “In a season of disruption, uncertainty, and change, I can think of no better person to assume the role of Chief Innovation Officer than Dr. Phil Laird. Phil brings to this work the rare combination of intellectual agility, mature Christian faith, a vast, well-connected, and sustained network of global relationships, compassion, and entrepreneurial drive. We are privileged to have Dr. Laird devote his expertise and leadership to the laudable task of helping Trinity Western offer innovative, high-quality, Christian education to students in Canada and across the globe.”
In his role, Laird will continue to provide inspirational and visionary leadership in facilitating micro and macro-innovative thinking and implementation at TWU. Fostering innovation across the TWU campuses, he will seek to grow TWU enrolment and revenue through innovative program, partnership, pathway, and process development.
“Dr. Laird's leadership of TWU Global has resulted in a strong track record of building out international relationships and innovative program initiatives. His remarkable ability to see creative ways to turn a challenge into an opportunity will serve the broader campus community well,” said Dr. Bob Wood, Provost.
Working with international university and college partners, Laird supports Trinity Western’s FAR Center development efforts by providing marketing materials, and strategic insight to support the development and management of each FAR center.
“The future of universities will depend on their ability and willingness to adapt to technological, global, and demographic changes. Innovative and collaborative thinking will be critical to our future,” said Laird.
Laird earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 1990, his M.A. in Social/Developmental Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2003, and his Ph.D. in Psychology with a special designation in Psychology and the Law in 1997 from Simon Fraser University.
Laird joined the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at TWU in 1995 and served as a faculty member in Psychology conducting research on moral reasoning, moral attributions, and jury decision-making. During his first seven years at TWU, he served on multiple committees/councils including the Faculty Affairs Executive, Academic Technology Committee, Mediated Learning Taskforce and TWEST Council. He transitioned to University administration in 2001 as the Director of the Global Mediated Learning Center and has subsequently held various academic administrative positions including Dean of Global Learning Connections and Vice Provost.
In 2020, Laird co-led TWU’s Program Innovation Task Force, as part of the University’s wider efforts to pivot quickly and strategically in response to the challenges of COVID-19.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited 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 five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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