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A New Beginning for the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs

FPGA faculty, staff and students gathered in the Loeb Lounge on September 19, 2024 to mark the beginning of a new era in the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs.

The event began with a powerful statement: a blessing from Indigenous elder Kokum Irene Compton who performed a cedar and water ceremony and sung a blessing, inviting those in attendance to join her in the refrain.

Indigenous elder Kokum Irene Compton at the FPGA launch
Indigenous elder Kokum Irene Compton

It was a fitting start for a new chapter for the Faculty. The new name and a new strategic plan, Lead. Connect.Transform., were officially announced on July 1st and the Faculty has begun to explore ways to bring this plan to fruition.

“This process gave us as a Faculty the opportunity to ask ‘Who are we?’ and, ‘Where do we want to be in five year’s time?’” said Dean Brenda O’Neill. “We met with dozens of faculty and staff members and heard from more than 1,600 students. One thing that really stood out for me during this process was how much everyone cares about this Faculty.”

The event was hosted by Teddy Samy, director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and included three videos featuring faculty members discussing the themes of lead, connect and transform as they relate to their work. The presenters were Paul Goode, the MacMillan Chair of Russian Studies in the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies; Duncan McCue, Associate Professor specializing in Indigenous Journalism and Storytelling; and Danette Nearing-Guibord, Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) and Field Placement Coordinator in the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Dean O’Neill noted that “after a global pandemic and in the face of budgetary constraints, we needed a bold plan for this uncertain future.”

The strategic plan puts forth a number of recommendations under the three pillars of lead, connect, and transform, including a renewed commitment to research support, workplace experience opportunities for students, and stronger partnerships with the community.

You can read the full plan here.

Lead, Connect, Transform cookies
Guests during the FPGA launch event watching Dean Brenda O'Neill onstage
Guests during the FPGA launch event
Guests during the FPGA launch event
Guests during the FPGA launch event
Teddy Samy at the podium speaking
Indigenous elder Kokum Irene Compton
Dean Brenda O'Neill during the FPGA launch event
Guests during the FPGA launch event
Guests during the FPGA launch event
Teddy Samy, Director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and Kristi Wells, Manager, Administration and Operations (ODFPGA)
Allan Thompson, Director, School of Journalism and Communication and Josh Greenberg, Associate Dean, Research & Graduate (ODFPGA)

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