President Kevin Hall is stepping down from his role as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Victoria. His last day will be Aug. 1, 2025. Dr. Hall has accepted a role as president and CEO of an international university. More information from that institution will be announced in the coming days.
“Though I will no longer be at the helm, my confidence in UVic’s future is unwavering. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together—from groundbreaking research and teaching, to creating a culture of inclusion and reconciliation. I am grateful to our dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners for their support and collaboration throughout my time at UVic.”
—Kevin Hall, President and Vice-Chancellor
President Hall led the university through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of international conflicts on our campus, navigating a changing international-enrolment landscape and more. He also spearheaded the renewal of the university’s strategic plan, the creation of the vice-president Indigenous position, and global engagement efforts—all of this in the continued pursuit of the university’s collective goals.
On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire university community, I’d like to thank President Hall for his leadership and service. We wish him well with this next opportunity. With the full support of the Board of Governors, President Hall will be taking earned leave in advance of commencing his new role.
The Board of Governors has asked Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Dr. Robina Thomas, to serve as acting president for a period of three months, commencing Aug. 2, 2025. As a well-respected and long-serving UVic academic and leader, Dr. Thomas brings a deep understanding of our university, our strategic, academic and research priorities, and our commitment to community partnership. We are grateful to Dr. Thomas for accepting this role, and the executive team is unified in their support of her acting appointment.
We have tremendous confidence that the university’s executive team and Dr. Thomas will continue to provide strong, collaborative leadership, continuity and stability during this period of transition. Executive members are committed to working together to support the good work currently underway, along with future initiatives across the university.
The Board of Governors will immediately initiate a plan to appoint a longer-term acting president. As well, the Board will begin the search process for UVic’s next president and vice-chancellor. We will share updates on these processes as they unfold.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Cant
Chair, University of Victoria Board of Governors
A message from Dr. Robina Thomas
Dear colleagues,
I’d like to thank the Board of Governors and the executive team for their confidence in my ability to take on the role of acting president and vice-chancellor of our university. I accept this role with humility and believe that, by coming together in a good way, we will Xʷkʷənəŋistəl | W̱ȻENEṈISTEL | help to move each other forward.
During this period of transition, it’s crucial that we lean in to support one another. Collectively, our executive team will work together to move the university forward, continue the good work underway, and prepare our university for a new leader. We are committed to collaborative leadership, supporting UVic students, staff, faculty and community, community partnerships, and to the university’s strategic priorities.
For the next three months, I have asked Lalita Kines to step into the role of interim Vice President, Indigenous. As those of you who know her will affirm, Lalita is a strategic, compassionate and collaborative leader and this portfolio is in very capable hands. I extend my sincerest gratitude to her for accepting this interim role.
I hold my hands up to all of you—our faculty, staff, students and community—for all that you do to support the University of Victoria. I am confident that, when we work together, our university will achieve great things in the months and years to come.
Hay sxʷ q̓ a,
Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Robina Thomas
