Wendy Benoit appointed interim vice-provost (teaching and learning)

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Wendy Benoit, PhD’07, as interim vice-provost (teaching and learning) for an 18-month term starting Jan. 1, 2024.  

Throughout her career, Dr. Benoit has been dedicated to building creative strategies for active learning and encouraging students to develop problem-solving and communication skills through the practice of science.   

Most recently, Benoit served UCalgary as the associate dean of teaching, learning and student engagement for the Faculty of Science, where she forges connections across disciplines, and as a professor (teaching) within the Department of Chemistry. Her dedication to teaching was recognized in 2012 with the Faculty of Science Award for Excellence in Teaching and in 2015 with the Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award. She also previously held the role of director of the Natural Sciences program at UCalgary from 2015 to 2018.  

Benoit earned a Bachelor of Science with honours from Memorial University of Newfoundland before completing her PhD with a specialization in synthetic organic chemistry at UCalgary. 

Benoit’s scholarly work includes the co-development and research on improving and extending training and mentorship opportunities in the Department of Chemistry for graduate-student teaching assistants. And she has collaborated on research into the effectiveness of using historic case studies to help students understand scientific concepts. 

In her new role as interim vice-provost (teaching and learning), Benoit will play a critical strategic role in implementing and advancing UCalgary’s teaching and learning goals in the Academic Innovation Plan, and for the Ahead of Tomorrow strategy. 

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Leslie Reid, MSc’97, PhD’03, for her commitment and dedication to the role of vice-provost (teaching and learning) which she has held since 2018. During her tenure, Dr. Reid’s leadership has been invaluable, acting as co-chair on the Oversight Committee for the Eyes High strategy; helping our campus community transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning as a leading centre in the country; and securing both the Sinneave Foundation’s gift that helps neurodiverse students through work-integrated learning opportunities and the Flanagan Foundation’s gift that continues to improve our understanding of the future of blended and online learning.  

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Benoit on her appointment and welcoming her into her new role.  

Penny Werthner, PhD 
Interim Provost and Vice-President (Academic) 
University of Calgary