United College is situated on lands deeply connected to Indigenous peoples who have historically lived, and who currently live, in this territory. We recognize that these lands have always been the source of learning for Indigenous peoples. As an educational institution, we are committed to respecting the traditional knowledge that Indigenous peoples have derived from these lands and to learning from their experiences on them.
United College, one of four affiliated and federated university colleges at the University of Waterloo, is located on the Waterloo campus. The College is conducting a search for its new President to take office in the summer of 2026, and invites expressions of interest, applications and nominations.
Despite the turbulence in higher education, the past decade has been transformational for United College. The College provides a unique learning environment in which students enjoy the activity and resources of a large university and the sense of community that is found on a small campus. The College was founded in 1962 as St. Paul’s University College under the sponsorship of the United Church of Canada, but is now an independent organization operating as a non-religious institution. However, it continues to express its founding values through a remarkably coherent set of academic and non-academic programs. Within the University of Waterloo academic network, United hosts the University’s Minors in four fields: Indigenous Studies, Social Innovation, Indigenous Entrepreneurship, and Human Rights. United College is also home to GreenHouse, a nationally recognized incubator for social entrepreneurship. Finally, the College has for two decades taken the lead in managing the Student Refugee Program on behalf of the broader university.
The President is the senior executive officer of United College and is responsible to its governing body, the Board of Governors, for its academic and administrative operation. The President provides inspirational, strategic, academic and financial leadership, and works co-operatively within United College and with the University of Waterloo to strengthen and expand its programs and activities in ways that exemplify its vision, mission and values. The President will effectively represent United College with the external community, increase its resources and advance its mission, develop new programs and raise its profile locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.
The President will be a visionary and strategic leader with a record of scholarship, a demonstrated commitment to students, outstanding interpersonal skills, and the leadership ability to guide the affairs of the overall institution. Candidates will have a collegial working style, experience or interest in advancement and the ability to further the interests of United College with both internal and external constituencies.
The consultants will begin review of candidates immediately, with committee consultation beginning in the fall. The search will continue until the position is successfully filled, ideally by July 1, 2026. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names (not letters) of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and should be submitted in confidence to the executive search consultants:
Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.
UnitedCollege@lavernesmith.com
United College values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The College regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. United College seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
United College is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact the Human Resources Manager at utdcareers@uwaterloo.ca or 519-885-1460, ext. 25227
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
