From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Trevor Young, Acting Vice-President & Provost
Date: July 14, 2021
Re: Update on the Dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (PDAD&C #2)

Professor Dexter Voisin will be stepping down from his appointment as Dean of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, effective December 31, 2021. Professor Voisin has accepted an appointment as Dean of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, effective January 1, 2022.

The University of Toronto and the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work have benefited considerably from Professor Voisin’s leadership over the past two years. During his time as Dean, Professor Voisin’s contributions include co-chairing the University’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force, which released its report earlier this year, as well as serving on a number of senior leadership tables including the Council of Health Sciences and Advisory Search Committees for the appointment of new Deans. Professor Voisin has also made significant contributions to the Faculty, including securing the Lee Wu Kee Ming Chair in Indigenous Social Work and increasing the number of Indigenous and racialized faculty members through strategic hiring initiatives. Under Professor Voisin’s guidance, the Faculty has made improvements to its advancement, student services, and international operations; accelerated its research and teaching efforts; and developed a blueprint for future growth and continued excellence in the years ahead.

In making his decision to step down, Professor Voisin shared, “Serving and promoting social work faculty, staff, and students at the University of Toronto has been a truly rewarding experience, and a distinct honour in my career. Being a part of this amazing community of students, scholars, and leaders has made the decision to leave very difficult, and I have learned and grown—personally and professionally—by being a part of this world-class institution. While family reasons take me back to the United States, I will deeply miss my time at the University of Toronto.”

Please join me in wishing Professor Voisin well as he transitions into his new role at Case Western. We will be sharing more information regarding interim leadership at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work in the coming months; nominations and feedback about the appointment of an Interim Dean may be sent to Assistant Provost Archana Sridhar at archana.sridhar@utoronto.ca.