Appointment of an Interim Dean, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management (PDAD&C #75)

To:         Faculty, Students, and Staff, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management
Principals, Deans, Academic Directors and Chairs
From:    Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date:    May 15, 2020
Re:         Appointment of an Interim Dean, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management (PDAD&C #75)

I am pleased to announce that the Agenda Committee of Academic Board has approved the appointment of Professor Kenneth Corts as Interim Dean of the Joseph L. Rotman School for a thirteen-month term, beginning June 3, 2020. Dean Tiff Macklem will be stepping down to take up his new appointment as Governor of the Bank of Canada.

The Rotman School of Management has benefited greatly from Professor Macklem’s leadership and experience since his appointment in 2014. Professor Macklem has helped to build a robust student experience across the range of undergraduate and graduate programs offered at the Rotman School. The impact and reach of Rotman’s thought leadership have increased with the establishment of new research and education centres.  His emphasis on diversity and equity, his focus on a global mindset, and his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, have promoted a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Professor Macklem’s investment in strengthening and enhancing partnerships has facilitated collaboration with other faculties across the U of T, with the global academic community, and with the business and public policy communities. Last fall, he and his leadership team developed and launched an ambitious academic plan. Under Professor Macklem’s stewardship, the School has also become a model of budgetary success at the University, and a resource for other units on campus seeking consultation and advice on financial matters.

Professor Corts brings with him a wealth of experience as he steps into the role of Interim Dean. He has served as Vice-Dean, Faculty & Research at the Rotman School since 2015, prior to which he was Director of the Rotman Commerce Program and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education. As Vice-Dean, Professor Corts has successfully led initiatives to increase recognition of faculty accomplishments, improve faculty hiring and pay equity, increase research support for faculty, and launch new research institutes. As Director of the Rotman Commerce Program he led initiatives to broaden the curriculum across all management disciplines; to provide significant leadership and communications skills development opportunities; to increase international learning experiences; and to engage alumni more fully in the life of the Rotman Commerce program. As Academic Director of the Lee-Chin Institute for Corporate Citizenship, he has driven increased faculty research collaboration and student participation in activities related to sustainable finance and sustainability strategy. Last year, Professor Corts served as Acting Vice-President, University Operations for the fall term, developing relationships with leaders across the three U of T campuses. Professor Corts holds the Marcel Desautels Chair in Entrepreneurship and is an accomplished scholar with a wide reputation in the fields of industrial economics, competition policy, and organizational economics. He received his PhD in Economics from Princeton University, and was a faculty member at Harvard Business School before joining the University of Toronto.

Please join me in wishing Professor Macklem well in his new role at the Bank of Canada, and in thanking Professor Corts for his willingness to take on this important Interim role.