Adrian Chan

Question 1: I believe that I would be an excellent candidate to be considered as a Academic Staff Governor because:

I believe I would be an excellent candidate for reappointment as an Academic Staff Governor because of my leadership record in research, teaching, and administration, along with my deep commitment to Carleton and its community. For over 20 years, I have actively contributed to Carleton’s academic mission and growth across a variety of roles and responsibilities.

I am a Full Professor in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering. I have demonstrated excellence, including as a researcher (e.g., Outstanding Biomedical Engineer of the Year, Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society) and as an educator (e.g., 3M Teaching Fellow, Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education). I have a range of experiences across Carleton (see answer to Question #2), including leadership roles, that give me a broad understanding and appreciation of our university’s diverse needs. During my term as an Academic Staff Governor, I have developed valuable insights into Board governance and its role in shaping Carleton’s strategic direction. I am eager and excited to build upon this experience for one more term, continuing to be a thoughtful and constructive Board member.

I am committed to continuing my active support of Carleton, so it continues to be an impactful and sustainable institution that upholds its values, including equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and service to our community, especially during these times of change and uncertainty.

Question 2: I have the following skills and experiences which would be beneficial in my role as Academic Staff Governor:

I bring a broad range of skills and experiences that are beneficial to my role as Academic Staff Governor. I have extensive experience in teaching, research, and administrative roles and responsibilities of academic staff. I have served in numerous leadership roles that provide me with deep institutional knowledge and the ability to navigate within complex governance structures (see below).

I have led many major initiatives, including large-scale research programs, creating and managing academic programs, strategic planning efforts, and community initiatives. These experiences have fortified my ability to manage complexity, build consensus, and contribute to long-term institutional planning. My work has been highly interdisciplinary, involving close collaborations with various Carleton stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, administration, and external community partners. This broad engagement enables me to be an excellent representative of many facets of Carleton.

Over many years and roles, I have developed valuable leadership experience, a strong understanding of institutional priorities, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. I am committed to using these skills to support the Board in making informed, strategic decisions that benefit Carleton’s long-term success.

Current key roles:
– Co-Chair, Healthy Workplace (and currently co-leading the development of its new strategic plan)
– Co-Chair, Carleton Accessibility Strategy Committee (and currently co-leading the development of its new strategic plan)
– Academic Staff Governor, Board of Governors
– Chair, Faculty of Engineering and Design EDI Council (led the development of the inaugural Faculty of Engineering and Design EDI Action Plan)
– Director, Abilities Living Laboratory
– Director, Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
– Member, Canadian Accessibility Network Advisory Council

Previous key roles:
– Member, Carleton University Strategic Integrated Planning Task Force
– Assistant Vice-President (Academic)
– interim Associate Vice-President Teaching and Learning
– Associate Dean (Programs and Awards), Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
– Co-Chair, Carleton University United Way Campaign
– Co-Founder, Carleton University Disability Research Group
– Director, Carleton Shad Valley
– Director, NSERC-CREATE Research and Education in Accessibility, Design, and Innovation (READi) training program
– Vice-President, Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society
– Department Representative, Carleton University Academic Staff Association Council.

Question 3: If elected to the Board, what would you like to gain from the experience and/or what skills would you like to further develop?

Serving on the Board has been an enriching experience, allowing me to gain valuable insights into university governance, including budgetary planning and infrastructure management. This has complemented my knowledge and experiences in academic governance and university executive. I have also learned from the many exceptional Board members, including those from the external community, whose diverse perspectives have been insightful and invaluable.

During my term on the Board, Carleton has experienced uncertainty and increasing stressors. Simultaneously, Carleton has continued to strengthen its reputation as an outstanding academic institution and community leader, both locally and globally. Moving forward, I hope to expand my capacity to navigate complex challenges by continuing to develop my systems thinking skills, thoughtfully recognizing and balancing competing priorities, and engaging in positive risk-taking.