Sociologist takes over helm of graduate studies

UVic's new dean of the faculty of graduate studies is Dr. Holly Devor.

Most recently the associate dean of social sciences, Devor came to UVic in 1989 as a faculty member in the department of sociology. In recognition of her research in gender issues, including transgenderism, she was named a fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

A highly-respected teacher, she was named a 3M teaching fellow in 2000 and received the UVic Alumni Association Award for excellence in teaching in 1995. Devor says she's interested in seeing graduate education expanded on campus to allow as many units as possible to offer PhD programs.

"I'm deeply committed to graduate education and I hope to make a difference and serve the university to the best of my abilities," says Devor of her new position. She's heartened by UVic's commitment to support the graduate assistantships program for the coming year, after funding for the employment program was cut by the provincial government. She acknowledges that sufficient financial support for grad students remains a primary challenge.

"UVic has many outstanding graduate students but we also lose many more because they're offered better scholarships elsewhere. UVic is very attractive to them but students sometimes can't afford to come here." She's pleased that increased support for grad students is part of the university's strategic plan and that the federal government is addressing it in programs such as Canada's Innovation Strategy and Canada's Skills and Learning Strategy.

Valerie Shore photo