USask appoints Patricia McDougall as provost and vice-president academic

The Provost and Vice-President, Academic serves as Chief Academic Officer for the university and provides institution-wide leadership in shaping and advancing the USask's academic strategy, including teaching and learning, student support services, academic policies, and faculty relations. The Provost also oversees Indigenous Engagement, the University Library and the university’s Galleries & Museums.

“I am honoured to continue serving the University of Saskatchewan as Provost, and to support the extraordinary impact this university has on individuals, communities, and our province,” said McDougall. “My ‘why’ is about people, and it’s my privilege to work alongside the exceptional students, faculty, staff, and community partners that make USask a world-class institution. I am energized by the opportunity to move forward as Provost and Vice-President Academic working as part of the team that will continue strengthening academic excellence, advancing innovation in teaching and learning to create meaningful opportunities for our students and partners across Saskatchewan and beyond.”

The Provost search committee led an international search process to find the best candidate to take on the role. With new presidential leadership and a refreshed strategic plan in development to guide the university’s future, the committee was looking for a collaborative and visionary leader to support USask’s growth and current momentum.

McDougall was a perfect fit.

"Dr. Patti McDougall is a respected scholar, educator, and leader who has spent her career helping students and this university to thrive,” said Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD), USask president and vice-chancellor and chair of the provost search committee. “She brings the experience, vision, and collaborative approach needed to advance USask's academic mission while building on the university's extraordinary momentum and strategic ambitions. Her appointment reflects our commitment to USask’s strong and resilient future, and will strengthen our ability to make a positive impact locally, nationally, and globally.”

McDougall holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Queen's University, a Master of Applied Science degree from the University of Waterloo, and a doctoral degree in Human Learning, Development and Instruction from the University of British Columbia.

Her academic background as a developmental and educational psychologist has informed a career dedicated to advancing teaching excellence, student success, and innovation in higher education. McDougall joined St. Thomas More College, federated with USask, in 1998 where she worked as a faculty member, assistant dean, associate dean, and interim dean. She joined USask as Vice-Provost of Teaching and Learning in 2013, where her portfolio included strategic and operational oversight of teaching and learning, academic programming, student experience, and strategic enrolment management. McDougall took on the role of Deputy Provost in the fall of 2021, where her strategic areas of focus included supporting equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives across USask campuses, and advancing programs designed to respond to changing learner expectations and labour-market demands, such as micro-credentials and flexible learning pathways.

In 2025, McDougall stepped into the role of interim provost, succeeding Bruni-Bossio as he transitioned to the role of president. As a leader in the provost's portfolio, her work has helped shape a more integrated, student-centred university and positions USask to meet the evolving needs of learners and society. McDougall has helped to guide major strategic initiatives such as enrolment and future planning, Indigenous engagement initiatives, sustainability strategy, academic program review and renewal, and the development of USask's Prince Albert Campus. She has also been an integral part of the strategic planning process for University Plan 2035, set to be launched in early 2027.

McDougall is widely recognized for her collaborative approach and strong relationship-building skills, traits that are perfectly suited to help lead the university into its next chapter.

“I believe in this university, and I am committed to this university. I continue to draw inspiration and energy from seeing students achieve their goals, watching faculty push the boundaries of knowledge, supporting staff to create the conditions for success, and working with partners to help us extend our impact into Saskatchewan and beyond,” said McDougall. “Collaboration is at the heart of how we move forward as a university and build on our national and global reputation for academic excellence.”

As a developmental and educational psychologist, Dr. McDougall's own research has focused on understanding how people learn, develop, and succeed. Her scholarship has examined the impact of childhood and adolescent social relationships, including bullying and peer dynamics, as well as key factors shaping student success in higher education, from the transition to university through to graduation. This work has informed both her academic contributions and her longstanding commitment to enhancing the student experience and advancing innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

McDougall’s appointment to the role of Provost will be celebrated at a special reception on October 28 at 2:00 PM in Convocation Hall. All are welcome to attend.

The search for the role of Provost adhered to the guidelines outlined in the in the university’s by the Search and Review for Senior Administrators Policy, including transparency, accountability, confidentiality, respect, consultation, and equity. More information on the search can be found here.