VIU Welcomes New Dean of Management

Dr. Suzanne Flannigan joins University in key academic leadership role

Nanaimo, BC:  Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce Dr. Suzanne Flannigan has accepted the role of Dean, Faculty of Management. Reporting to the Provost and VP Academic, Flannigan will perform key tasks such as orchestrating a strategic planning process for the Faculty.

“I am delighted to join the Faculty of Management and look forward to meeting and working with the faculty and staff as well as the VIU community at large,” Flannigan says.  

She brings to VIU an extensive research background in organizational change and cultural congruence, specifically the impact congruency has on context, and behaviours and dynamic interactions among leaders as they are learning during change. Flannigan will use her expertise in the field to guide the Faculty in operational planning, developing international and regional partnerships, increasing the Faculty’s community connections and profile, and supporting applied research and professional development endeavours among faculty and staff.

“There are so many opportunities both here in the Faculty of Management and in this vibrant University as a whole, and I am keen to add my efforts to seeing that potential realized,” she adds.

Flannigan has dedicated her career to working in higher education and has held a variety of roles on campuses since 1988, most recently as Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University. Prior to that, she was Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Hartnell College in California, where she was responsible for all instructional programs and services, the academic budget and all instructional grants. Other previous roles include Dean of the Centre for Applied Management at Lethbridge College and faculty member in the School of Business at Camosun College.

She received her PhD in higher education administration from the University of Texas (at Austin), an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, an MEd from the University of Victoria and a BA in English, with a minor in creative writing from the University of Lethbridge. She also holds an Instructor Diploma. Flannigan is a Chartered Professional Coach and a nationally certified triathlon coach.

When not working Flannigan is an active community volunteer, having held a variety of sport-related leadership roles, and participated in community-service organizations including Rotary International and the Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Flannigan began her work with VIU on July 4, 2017.