U of M appoints former dean Benarroch as president, vice-chancellor

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This article was published 19/11/2019 (1766 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The University of Manitoba has announced Michael Benarroch will become the 12th president and vice-chancellor in the school’s history.

Currently the provost and vice-president, academic at Ryerson University in Toronto, Benarroch will officially take on his new role at U of M July 1.

He will replace outgoing president David Barnard, who has held the position for 12 years.

Jeff Lieberman, chair of both the U of M board of governors and the school’s presidential search committee, said in a written statement that he was “delighted” by the decision to hire Benarroch.

“The presidential search committee has enthusiastically recommended Dr. Michael Benarroch as the president who will lead the University of Manitoba into the next stage of its illustrious history,” Lieberman said.

“He is known as a collegial leader with both vision and the ability to make great things happen by connecting meaningfully with community and stakeholders.”

Born in Tangier, Morocco, Benarroch’s family immigrated to Winnipeg when he was three years old. He holds a bachelor degree from the University of Winnipeg, a master’s degree in economics from Western University and a PhD in economics from Carleton University.

He previously worked at the I.H. Asper School of Business at the U of M as dean and was the founding dean of the faculty of business and economics at the U of W. He left for Ryerson University in 2017.

“I am excited about the opportunity to return to the University of Manitoba as its next president and to contribute to the success of outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni of the university,” Benarroch said in a written statement.

“My years at the University of Manitoba were among the most rewarding of my career… I look forward to playing a lead role in building new successes in teaching, research, service, community engagement and reconciliation.”

In 2017, prior to leaving for Ryerson, Benarroch told the Free Press that landing his new job in Toronto was bittersweet.

“Ryerson is a great fit for me, but having said that, I will really miss the Asper School and Winnipeg because I love this city,” he said.