students

Maximizing Our Impact

Engaged research, innovation, and collaborative initiatives for community, cultural, and economic development

And Employees Revitalizing Our Academic Core Maximizing Our Impact Sustaining Our Institutional Future Caring For Our Planet

Acadia has a rich history that dates back almost two centuries. The community’s unwavering determination to establish a place of higher learning has had a profound impact beyond the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Throughout its existence, Acadia has played a critical role in driving economic, cultural, spiritual, and artistic development in the region while also expanding its reach globally. Notably, one of our alumni, Dr. Charles Huggins (Class of 1920), was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1966 for pioneering work in detecting and treating prostate cancer. Acadia’s graduates and scholars have made significant contributions in various academic and professional fields worldwide.

As part of its strategic plan, Acadia aims to expand our impact both locally and globally while also collaborating with First Nations communities to address the post-secondary challenges highlighted in Canada’s Report on Truth and Reconciliation.

Acadia University has continued to maintain its reputation of fostering community partnerships and global recognition for its faculty, despite the impact of COVID-19 on universities, businesses, and community organizations.

• Acadia University fostered partnerships that promote education, diversity, and excellence

• Acadia collaborated with Glooscap First Nation to create the Indigenous Speakers Series, which provided students and faculty with information on Mi’kmaw traditional knowledge

• Acadia’s partnership with the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) addresses the shortage of skilled bioscience professionals

• Dr. Sandra Barr, an internationally renowned geoscientist, received the 2022 Bancroft Award from the Royal Society of Canada and was inducted into the Nova Scotia Science Hall of Fame

• IPCC Co-Chair Dr. Hans-Otto Pörtner, 2022 Honorary Doctorate recipient, delivered inaugural Fred Gilbert Lecture

• Dr. Nelson O’Driscoll was awarded the 2022 Maine Council on the Marine Environment Visionary Award

• Dr. Rob Raeside received the J. Willis Ambrose Medal from the Geological Association of Canada in 2021

• Students Olivia Stephenson and Leah Creaser were awarded prestigious 3M scholarships, and Kirsten Lawrence received the Frank H. Sobey Award

• Acadia hosted first President’s Sustainable Development Goals Week panel in March 2023

• Volleyball coach Michelle Wood, Dr. Lesley Frank, and Dr. Peter Ricketts were each awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals

Revitalizing Our Academic

Sustaining Our Institutional Future

Optimizing enrolment, fundraising, and campus infrastructure renewal

Maximizing Our Impact Sustaining Our Institutional Future Caring For Our Planet

As Acadia University approaches its bicentennial, its sustainability is a top priority. Enrollment of students is crucial for maintaining healthy funding, vibrant campus life, and social and cultural growth. Attracting and retaining top faculty members is essential for building on Acadia’s rich tradition of leaving a lasting impact as a smaller institution. Despite the pandemic, Acadia in 2020 concluded its largest and most successful fundraising campaign, Campaign for Acadia

Strategic steps must be taken to prioritize the well-being of students and employees, care for the environment, continuously revitalize academic programs, and make a local and global impact through research and engagement for a sustainable future.

• Successful conclusion of the Campaign for Acadia in 2020, raising $86.8 million

• Appointment of Acadia alumna Nancy Handrigan as Vice-President Advancement

• Appointment of Dr. Claudine Bonner as Acadia’s first Vice-Provost of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Stronger partnerships established with Nova Scotia’s First Nations and Black communities

• Renewal of important campus infrastructure, including Raymond Field, Andrew H. McCain Arena, Huggins Science Hall, and the David Huestis Innovation Pavilion

• Acquired Acadia’s largest ever government grant of $22 million to support investment in infrastructure and technology renewal and modernization

• Multi-year Strategic Enrolment Growth Plan initiated in 2022 to increase student enrolment and retention to reach the goal of 4,000 full-time undergraduates by 2025, with 20% being international students

Opportunity Status

UniVillage concept and affordable housing project moving forward with external partners

International student recruitment

Centre for Student Success

Deferred Maintenance projects

Accessibility changes to meet 2030 obligations

Long-term enrolment strategy

Meetings with Advanced Education and Housing departments have commenced; project is dependent on Provincial student housing strategy

New staff positions have been filled with new target markets and opportunities within existing markets identified

Approval received from Nova Scotia government to assign portion of deferred maintenance grant. Fundraising campaign underway with financial targets and time line

Plan for use of the $22 M grant approved by provincial government

Deferred maintenance grant projects underway; additional funding will be required from the provincial government to meet the plan

Despite the pandemic, on target to meet the Acadia 2025 goals