Carleton University has officially welcomed Professor Wisdom Tettey as its 17th President and Vice-Chancellor.
Prof. Tettey, who assumed his new role on January 1, 2025, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation, equity, and student success.
In a video message to students, Prof. Tettey expressed his excitement about the transformative possibilities that lie ahead for the university community.
He emphasised his commitment to fostering a bold community of conscientious and adaptable global leaders who challenge the status quo and champion transformative change.
“As I begin my tenure as Carlton University’s 17th President and Vice-Chancellor I want to let you know how honoured, humbled and grateful I am for the significant privilege of serving you. I am excited about the transformative possibilities that lie ahead as we embark on this journey together and collectively build on a solid reputation that you together with our partners have forged.
“Notwithstanding the current challenges that we and indeed our sector face Carleton’s future looks bright. I believe in our capacity to sustain the unstoppable momentum that is supported by Carleton’s commitment to its mission, culture and spirit of inclusive excellence, innovation, engagement and impacts,” Prof Tettey stated.
He further thanked all who made his entry into the university possible.
“Thanks to everyone who helped to make my entry into this community possible through involvement in a broad engagement process that shape what we are looking for in a leader.”
Prof Tettey joins Carleton from the University of Toronto, where he served as Vice-President and Principal of the Scarborough campus. His extensive background includes roles as Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, as well as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Culture at the University of Calgary.
Born in Ghana, Prof Tettey completed his bachelor’s degree and a graduate diploma at the University of Ghana. He holds a PhD from Queen’s University and a master’s degree from UBC. His interdisciplinary research interests include media, politics, and civic engagement in Africa, as well as African higher education and the knowledge society.
Carleton’s Board of Governors announced Tettey’s appointment in April 2024, describing him as an inclusive and authentic leader. He succeeds Jerry Tomberlin, who served as interim president following the resignation of former president Benoit-Antoine Bacon.
