Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University (MRU) grew into a
vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused
undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, MRU is known for our top-calibre programs,
high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly
teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research.
MRU serves approximately 16,000 students, with a full-load equivalent (FLE) of 11,948. The
university offers 14 bachelor's degrees encompassing 38 majors across faculties such as Arts,
Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. MRU also
boasts one of Canada's elite Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) accredited programs.
With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily
serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800
employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional
goals.
At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to
cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is
available in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace. We will further indigenize and
internationalize our campus, enhance our research culture, and expand fundraising efforts. Together,
we will achieve these strategic priorities through a strong focus on our employees as the driving force
behind the University’s success.
Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, the Associate Vice President (AVP),
Indigenization and Decolonization, is the senior leader at Mount Royal University for guiding
indigenization and decolonization. The successful candidate will provide transformative vision,
strategy, leadership and direction to advancing our institutional commitments to indigenization and
decolonization. The AVP is a member of the senior academic leadership and actively contributes to
institutional governance and initiative development with an emphasis on decolonizing and
indigenizing the academy. The ideal candidate will be a wise facilitator with a passion and capacity to
build on indigenization efforts of our university. The role requires strong communication and
coordination skills to collaboratively engage our internal and external communities in decolonization
and indigenization with respect and reciprocity. The successful candidate will help to foster an
environment where Indigenous students, faculty, staff, collaborators and community members can
thrive in an inclusive environment.
This role will champion the integration of Indigenous perspectives into curriculum in alignment
with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, while working collaboratively with
the Office of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement to advance Indigenous research.
The AVP will offer expert advice on policy, procedures, and institutional practices, ensuring
respectful and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities, cultures, and protocols. As
the leader of the Office of Indigenization and Decolonization, the AVP will oversee staff and support
Indigenous students and employees. Success in this role will require strong collaboration across the
University and beyond, including partnerships with the Students’ Association, Academic
Development Centre, Community Engagement, advisory councils, post-secondary institutions, and
government partners, as well as a close working relationship with the Iniskim Centre to advance
Indigenous student success and community connection.
The ideal candidate is an Indigenous leader (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) who brings lived
experience, cultural knowledge, and strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities,
including the ability to build meaningful connections with the Nations in the traditional territories
where MRU is located. They will possess a minimum of a Master’s degree (with doctoral
preparation considered an asset) and at least five years of progressive leadership experience within
a university or comparable environment. This individual is a skilled communicator, able to
thoughtfully articulate perspectives on emerging Indigenous issues to diverse audiences, and has
demonstrated experience working with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous students, staff,
and faculty.
The successful candidate will bring a proven track record in strategic planning and implementation,
along with a deep commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation through indigenization and
decolonization. They will have a strong understanding of post-secondary environments, including
policies, programs, and practices that support Indigenous student success, as well as experience
fostering Indigenous community-engaged research, teaching, and learning. In addition, they will
demonstrate administrative leadership with increasing levels of responsibility, including staff
supervision, and possess strong relationship-building skills across university, community, and
government partners.
A comprehensive understanding of the political and legislative landscape related to Indigenous
initiatives, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, is essential, as is the ability to secure
funding and effectively engage stakeholders to advance meaningful and lasting impact.
The successful candidate will exemplify MRU’s leadership competencies, displaying strategic vision,
inspirational leadership, resource mobilization abilities, innovative problem-solving, and an
unwavering commitment to professional integrity and ethical standards.
