Board of Governors

Call for applications

Nipissing University’s vision is to provide an exceptional and personalized student experience within a collegial and diverse learning community. Want to be part of our success?

Applications are being sought from community members to fill current and upcoming vacancies on the Nipissing University Board of Governors. If you are interested in joining our Board, please click here for further information.

The Nipissing University Act (1992) provides for a bicameral governance of the University and thus, governance is based on two legislative branches: the Board of Governors and the Academic Senate. The Board of Governors, which is made up of 26 members including Nipissing’s President and Chancellor, is responsible for the government and administration of the University, creating a mandate and evaluating and monitoring the progress of that mandate. This includes control of Nipissing’s property and revenues and the conduct of its business affairs except for those matters assigned to the Academic Senate.

The Board of Governors meets at least five times a year, and we invite you to follow the links to view the minutes of these meetings. Find out more about the Board's composition, committees and activities by choosing one of the categories listed.

For information, contact: 

University Secretary
Tel: 705.474.3450, ext. 4307
Fax: 705.495.3677
Email: governors@nipissingu.ca​​​

The mailing address for all members of the Board is:

Board of Governors
Nipissing University

100 College Drive, Box 5002
North Bay, ON P1B 8L7

Board of Governors(effective July 1, 2025)

Chancellor - Dr. Scott Russell (D.Litt)
Chair - David Smits
Vice-Chair - John D'Agostino
Vice-Chair Pro Tem - Ravil Veli
President & Vice-Chancellor - Dr. Kevin Wamsley

Non-Constituent Members

Patricia Carr
Fran Couchie
Stacie Fiddler
Judith Koziol
Frank Miscio
Janet Stockton
Robin Tonna

Members Appointed by the Senate

Dr. Katrina Srigley
Dr. Tyson Stewart

Members Appointed by the Faculty at Large

Dr. Blaine Hatt
Dr. Denyse Lafrance Horning

Members Appointed by the Students

Matthew Suszter (NUSU President)
Nicholas Botham (NUSU VP Finance & Administration)

Official Observers

Jaden Martin (NUSU VP Advocacy & Awareness)
Owen Remillard (NUSU VP Student Life)

Member Appointed by the Alumni Advisory Board

Laurel Muldoon

Members Appointed by the Non-teaching Employees

Doris Olmstead
Jessica McMillan

Member Appointed by the Indigenous Council on Education

TBD

Mayoral Designate

Jamie Lowery

Executive

  • David Smits, Board Chair 
  • John D’Agostino, Board Vice-Chair 
  • Ravil Veli, Vice-Chair Pro Tem 
  • Janet Stockton
  • Stacie Fiddler 
  • Patti Carr 
  • Kevin Wamsley 
  • Scott Russell 

University Governance Committee

  • John D’Agostino – Committee Chair 
  • Robin Tonna 
  • Judy Koziol 
  • Fran Couchie 
  • Katrina Srigley 
  • Jessica McMillan 
  • Matthew Suszter 
  • Laurel Muldoon 
  • David Smits 
  • Kevin Wamsley 
  • Scott Russell 
  • Nicholas Botham (Student Observer – non-voting) 
  • Carole Richardson (PVPA, non-voting) 
  • Renee Hacquard (VPFA, non-voting)

Audit & Finance and Plant & Property Committees

  • Janet Stockton, Committee Chair 
  • Patti Carr, Committee Vice-Chair 
  • John D’Agostino 
  • Ravil Veli 
  • Frank Miscio 
  • Denyse Lafrance Horning 
  • Jessica McMillan 
  • Nicholas Botham 
  • David Smits
  • Kevin Wamsley 
  • Scott Russell 
  • Matthew Suszter (student observer, non-voting) 
  • Carole Richardson (PVPA, non-voting) 
  • Renee Hacquard (VPFA, non-voting)

Community Relations & Fundraising Committee

  • Stacie Fiddler (Committee Chair) 
  • Ravil Veli (Committee Vice-Chair) 
  • Joe Sinicrope 
  • Tyson Stewart 
  • Blaine Hatt 
  • Doris Olmstead 
  • Jamie Lowery 
  • NUICE Representative (TBD) 
  • David Smits 
  • Kevin Wamsley 
  • Scott Russell 
  • Jaden Martin (student observer, non-voting) 
  • Carole Richardson (PVPA, non-voting) 
  • Renee Hacquard (VPFA, non-voting)

Nipissing University is a progressive, primarily undergraduate university known for providing a supportive, individualized learning environment. It has an excellent reputation for its teacher education, arts, science, business and nursing programs and is developing a dynamic research culture.

As one of the largest employers in the city of North Bay, Nipissing University has a significant impact on the City and the entire region, both from an economic and a social perspective.

Nipissing University is inviting new applications from the community to fill current and upcoming vacancies on its Board of Governors.

How to apply

Our Board of Governors includes individuals from the community who can apply as follows:

  1. Apply directly to the Board by sending a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications, background and experience to the attention of the Chair of the University Governance Committee.
    Applications can be sent via email to governors@nipissingu.ca
    or by mail to:
    Chair, University Governance Committee
    c/o University Secretary
    Nipissing University
    100 College Drive
    North Bay, ON P1B 8L7

OR ~

  1. Apply to Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) for one of our six provincial appointments. Go directly to the Provincial Appointments website located here for instructions on how to apply.

Board Meetings (Thursdays- 5:30 PM)

 

DateLocation
September 25, 2025President's Boardroom
December 4, 2025President's Boardroom
February 19, 2026President's Boardroom
April 30, 2026President's Boardroom
June 25, 2026President's Boardroom

Standing Committee Meetings

DateNotes
September 15, 2025Audit and Finance Committee
October 27, 2025 
January 26, 2026 
March 23, 2026 
April 20, 2026Audit and Finance Committee
May 25, 2026 
CommitteeTime
Governance Committee9:00 am - 10:30 am
Audit & Finance and Plant and Property Committees10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Executive Committee12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Community Relations and Fundraising Committees1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

 

Additional committee meetings may be called as necessary.

Other Important Dates

Board Retreat - November 7, 2025
September 12, 2025 - Board Orientation for New Board Members
June 8-11, 2026 - Convocation, North Bay

Agendas