Faculty of Fine Arts Professor Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt has been appointed York University’s first associate vice-president academic learning initiatives, effective Aug. 1.
Left: Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt
A newly-created position in the Division of the Vice-President Academic, the associate vice-president academic learning initiatives will support efforts in relation to the University Academic Plan’s priorities around enhancing the quality of students’ educational experience. A significant component of the portfolio will be leadership in the implementation of plans to establish the Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-Time Students.
Fisher-Stitt will also have responsibilities relating to coordination of English as a Second Language and writing programs, programs relating to the monitoring and improvement of student engagement and satisfaction, community outreach initiatives, academic integrity and disability issues, as well as a number of other areas affecting students’ quality of learning.
Fisher-Stitt joined York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in 1992 as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Dance. She has served as associate dean in the Faculty of Graduate Studies since July 2005, with responsibility for the student affairs portfolio. Her experience at York also includes terms as associate dean (policy and planning) of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Chair of the Department of Dance and graduate program director in Dance. She is a member of the Centre for the Support of Teaching Advisory Board and has served on the Academic Integrity Working Group.
Fisher-Stitt is a graduate of York University, having earned both her BA and MFA in Dance here, prior to an EdD in Dance at Temple University. In fact, she first entered York as a mature student herself. Her research interests focus on dance history and she is currently working on a manuscript on the history and evolution of Canada’s National Ballet School; she was a member of the corps de ballet of the National Ballet of Canada earlier in her career.
"I very much appreciate Professor Fisher-Stitt’s willingness to undertake this important responsibility in the service of the University and I look forward to working with her on initiatives to enhance the academic experience of all of our students," said Vice-President Academic Sheila Embleton in announcing the appointment.