The King’s Board of Governors today announces Dr. Timothy Vine, ICD.D, MBA, PhD, as the next President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of King’s College. Dr. Vine is the 26th president in King’s 237-year history, succeeding William Lahey, president since 2016. Vine’s five-year term begins July 13, 2026.
The appointment was confirmed by the Board of Governors following the unanimous recommendation of the Presidential Search Committee and the Board after a rigorous national search.
“I’m excited about coming to King’s to meet its students and work alongside its faculty and administration in this fulfilling work,” says Vine. “King’s commitment to rigorous, interdisciplinary education feels especially urgent now, when democratic life depends on clear thinking, careful reading and trustworthy storytelling.”
Vine has worked in education, municipal government and the private sector, and brings to the university his experience in strengthening financial and operational alignment in complex, purpose-driven organizations, which positions him exceptionally well for the opportunities at King’s. As the post-secondary environment continues to shift, King’s will benefit from Vine’s demonstrated ability to step into organizations under pressure and bolster their longevity and success.
“Dr. Vine brings a rare combination of intellectual depth, executive leadership and mission-driven experience to this role,” says Stephanie McGrath, Chair of the Board of Governors. “His background makes him ideally suited to champion King’s liberal arts and journalism programs. When he came to campus, his warmth, passion, enthusiasm, respect for Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and ability to connect meaningfully with students was immediately apparent.”
Vine has a clear understanding of what makes King’s distinct: its strong tradition of tutorial- and seminar-based, discussion-centred learning and its longstanding, unique relationship with Dalhousie University. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, curiosity and a deep kinship with King’s mission and community.
Once at King’s, Vine’s work will build upon the extraordinary foundation President Lahey has established over a decade of dedicated service to the university and its mission. Among his numerous accomplishments, Lahey’s unwavering commitment to students, community and institutional accountability has helped reshape King’s into a more equitable and welcoming place—through an unflinching examination of the university’s history and the deepening of meaningful relationships with the broader community, especially with those in the Mi’kmaq and Indigenous communities and African Nova Scotian and Black communities.
“I’m a great admirer of the meaningful work undertaken by President Lahey,” says Vine. “I understand how essential this mission is through my own academic focus on Indigenous reconciliation and in leadership roles for community health,” says Vine. “It will be an honour to build on this work.”
Dr. Vine, his wife, Crystal Bossio, and their three-year-old son will move into the President’s Lodge this summer and look forward to being active members of King’s vibrant community.
“We welcome Dr. Vine, Crystal and their young son to our community, where his leadership will help us shape the next bold chapter for King’s. We are all excited about the future of King’s and what it means for its students, alumni, partners and friends,” says McGrath. “The Presidential Search Committee is grateful for the enthusiastic engagement of students, faculty, staff and partners who provided thoughtful feedback throughout this process to help us identify the best candidate.”
About Dr. Timothy Vine
Along with a PhD in Political Science with a focus on Indigenous reconciliation, Vine draws on his MBA and CPA training, ICD.D designation, and extensive governance experience to stabilize, align and guide institutions. He has spent a decade in senior health-system leadership, as President and CEO of North Shore Health Network and in Vice-Presidential and CFO roles at St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake and Manitoulin Health Centre.
Vine has taught political science courses at Algoma University, focusing on governance and administration, bringing both academic and administrative perspectives to his leadership. He recognizes the enduring value of King’s journalism, writing and publishing and humanities programs that cultivate essential skills for today’s society, including critical thinking, communication, ethical reasoning and adaptability. He shares King’s commitment to preparing students to contribute as professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs and nation builders and, above all, as engaged citizens.
About the Search Committee and Process
Members of the Presidential Search Committee (PSC) consulted with Canadian executive advisory firm Royer Thompson to kick off the national search for King’s new president in the summer of 2025. The hiring process included extensive outreach and discussions, virtual interviews and leadership assessments, followed by campus visits to gather feedback from the Board of Governors, faculty, staff, students and key partners. The PSC presented its recommendation to the Board of Governors at a special board meeting held in March 2026, where a motion was approved to offer the appointment of President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of King’s College to Dr. Timothy Vine for a renewable term to commence on July 13, 2026, concluding June 30, 2031.
