The University of Manitoba has appointed a demonstrated bridge-builder and a committed leader in community engagement, a sought-after global economic outlook expert, and a proud Manitoban, Dr. Michael Benarroch, as its 12th president and vice-chancellor.

 

Raised in Winnipeg, Dr. Benarroch will take office as president and vice-chancellor of Western Canada’s first university and Manitoba’s only research-intensive university on July 1, 2020, succeeding Dr. David T. Barnard, who completes 12 years of distinguished service as president.

 

Dr. Benarroch is the provost and vice-president, academic at Ryerson University in Toronto, a role he has held since 2017, providing leadership as Ryerson’s chief academic officer and chief operating officer.  Prior to his time at Ryerson, he led the I. H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba as dean, and was founding dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Winnipeg.

 

“I am delighted to be able to announce today that following an extensive community consultation and search process, the Presidential Search Committee has enthusiastically recommended Dr. Michael Benarroch as the president who will lead the University of Manitoba into the next stage of its illustrious history,” said Jeff Lieberman, chair of the UM Board of Governors and chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “He is known as a collegial leader with both vision and the ability to make great things happen by connecting meaningfully with community and stakeholders.”

 

Dr. Benarroch was born in Tangier, Morocco, his family immigrating to Winnipeg when he was three years old with the expectation of greater opportunities. He was among the first generation of his family to attend university and the first to earn a graduate degree. He holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Winnipeg, a MA in economics from Western University, and a PhD in economics from Carleton University.

 

As provost at Ryerson, Dr. Benarroch made a significant impact, overseeing academic policy, strategic planning, and the institutional budget.

 

At the Asper School of Business, he enhanced overall reputation and community partnerships, and, working with Indigenous faculty, students and community members, he helped strengthen the Aboriginal Business Education Program so that it has recently enjoyed unparalleled success, graduating more and more diverse students than ever before.

 

“I am excited about the opportunity to return to the University of Manitoba as its next President and to contribute to the success of the outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University,” said Dr. Michael Benarroch. “My years at the University of Manitoba were among the most rewarding of my career. With the support of, and in collaboration with colleagues and the entire extended University of Manitoba family, I look forward to playing a lead role in building new successes in teaching, research, service, community engagement and reconciliation.”

 

UM Chancellor Anne Mahon said: “Dr. Benarroch’s wide range of experience in academic and community leadership demonstrates his ability to leverage and gain support for post-secondary education within the broader community. I look forward to working closely with him as a President who can lead the university with energy, passion and wisdom into the future.”

 

“Having worked with Dr. Benarroch when he was dean of the Asper School of Business, I am confident he has the ability to serve the University of Manitoba well,” said Dr. David Barnard. “It is an honour and a privilege to serve this University as its president. I offer Michael my congratulations and wish him and the whole UM community great success in the years ahead.”

 

For more than 140 years, the University of Manitoba has delivered life-changing learning experiences for students, conducted world-class research and shared knowledge and discovery to shape our province, country and world.

 

Under the leadership of eleventh president Dr. David Barnard, UM experienced considerable growth, increasing both Indigenous and international student populations, reaching new heights in research accomplishments and achieving unprecedented success in philanthropy through the Front and Centre campaign. In 2011 Dr. Barnard made a formal Statement of Apology and Reconciliation to Indian Residential School Survivors in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the first leader of a post-secondary institution to do so, and David has provided steadfast leadership in building relationships with Indigenous students, faculty, and communities throughout his time as president.

 

“I want to take this opportunity to recognize Dr. Barnard’s ongoing commitment to the University of Manitoba,” added Jeff Lieberman. “His thoughtful leadership has set the stage for continued success and achievement for this institution and the people who bring it to life.”

 

 

Dr. Benarroch is currently provost and vice-president (academic) at Ryerson University, a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he serves as Ryerson’s chief academic officer and chief operating officer, providing leadership in academic policy and programming, strategic planning and the university budget. In his time at Ryerson he has led and revamped the budget process, consulting widely as the University implemented significant budget reductions.  He co-chairs Ryerson’s Truth and Reconciliation Implementation Committee. Dr. Benarroch is committed and excited to work with the University of Manitoba and broader communities in advancing Indigenous engagement and reconciliation.

 
Prior to his current appointment, he served as dean of the I.H. Asper School of Business from 2011-2017. From 2008-2011, Dr. Benarroch served as the founding dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Winnipeg.
 
Passionate about teaching and research, Dr. Benarroch is an economist and has taught economics at Canadian universities since 1989.  His research focuses on global economic outlook, globalization, and the impact of trade on the environment. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Carleton University, his master’s from Western University, and a B.A. (Honours) from the University of Winnipeg.
 
Throughout his career, Dr. Benarroch has been an active leader and contributor in collegial governance at the institutions at which he has served, at the department, Faculty and University levels and believes strongly in the importance of collegiality.  He has extensive experience in working in unionized universities and has served as a member of faculty association and management bargaining teams.
 
Dr. Benarroch has extensive experience in community leadership and Boards. He has engaged with the boards of all three universities at which he has worked, and as Provost serves as a non-voting member of the Board. He has served on various national boards including the Certified Management Accountants, as chair of the Board of Jewish Education, chair of the Crown Corporation Council, the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council and on the Council of Economic Advisors for the Credit Union Central. He has completed the Directors Education Program training from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
 
Dr. Benarroch is a proud Manitoban who is very excited to return to Winnipeg and lead the University of Manitoba as president. He believes strongly in the importance of the University of Manitoba to this province and is keen to build and enhance connections in the community. His passion for this community and the power of higher education is readily apparent and his experiences to date in the academy, in academic leadership, and in the community will serve him, and the University well in the role of president and vice-chancellor.