President

Dr. Tom Traves, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Dr. Tom Traves has long been a leader in the

post secondary education community. He has been President of Dalhousie University since 1995, leading the university through a period of unprecedented growth in numbers of students

and faculty, in research dollars and in world-wide reputation. During his time as president, he has overseen the university's merger with the

Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS),

has led a campus planning process that has seen the development of new buildings and student spaces and changed the face of the campus forever, and is at the forefront of the $250-million Bold Ambitions campaign – the largest fund development initiative in the university's history.

Dr. Traves leads an organization that has played a central role in the Halifax community, in Nova Scotia and across the country. With nearly 200 years of history, Dalhousie ranks among the top research institutions in the country, attracting over $130 million in funding to Nova Scotia in 2010 and is known for its groundbreaking work in fields such as oceans, life sciences, sustainability, clean energy, material sciences and information and communications technology. “Halifax's billion-dollar university” is a major economic contributor to the regional economy through salaries, tax dollars, research investments and patronage of Nova Scotia companies. The university also plays a unique role in the social and cultural fabric of the region through outreach programs, legal aid and dentistry clinics, a vibrant arts centre, and significant community contributions from students, staff and faculty.

Prior to his time at Dalhousie, Dr. Traves served as Vice-President (Academic) at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and as Dean of Arts at York University in Toronto. He has a B.A. from the University of Manitoba, an M.A. and Ph.D from York University and an honorary doctorate from Umea University in Sweden.

Dr. Traves is chair of the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust Fund, and past-chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents. He is a member of the American Association of Higher Education, Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the Canadian Historical Association

Dr. Traves is currently Chairman and Trustee of Clearwater Seafoods Income Fund and a member of the Board of Directors of Innovacorp. Previously, he served as a member of the Board of the Maritime Life Assurance Company and the Advisory Board of AT&T Canada. He also served as a member of the Treasury Board of Canada Advisory Committee on Senior Level Retention and Compensation and the Greater Halifax Partnership. Dr. Traves is a past Honorary Colonel of 12 Wing Shearwater and a former member of the Board of the Atlantic Jazz Festival.

March 2011

The President and Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer, responsible to the Board of Governors and to the Senate for the supervision of Dalhousie University’s administrative and academic work. The President is supported by staff and advisors, including Vice-Presidents Academic and Provost, Finance and Administration, Student Services, External Relations and Research, who are responsible for various academic and non-academic services.