Reappointment process for the President

Oct. 19, 2026

To all members of the Athabasca University community,

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am pleased to announce that we are undertaking a presidential reappointment process for Dr. Alex Clark. The reappointment process is detailed in Presidential Search, Appointment and Reappointment Policy. If reappointed, Dr. Clark would serve a second 5-year term from January 1, 2028 to December 31, 2032.

The Like No Other strategic plan sets a bold direction for Athabasca University’s contribution to education, research, and impact, in place and in digital space. A key responsibility of the Board is to ensure strong, committed, and enduring leadership for the university to achieve its academic vision and mission. The Board is committed to a thoughtful, thorough reappointment process that serves our learners, our faculty, team members and instructors, and our communities.

The first step is to establish a Presidential Reappointment Advisory Committee that will make a recommendation to the Board. Its membership is set out in the policy and procedure and includes:

• The Chair of the Board who shall serve as Chair of the Presidential Reappointment Advisory Committee
• The Vice Chair of the Board, who shall chair the committee's meetings in the absence of the Chair
• Two (2) full-time academic faculty members elected by the full-time academic faculty members from the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Health Disciplines, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science and Technology (the two elected members shall not be from the same faculty)
• One (1) student member appointed by the council representing the students' association (AUSU)
• One (1) student member appointed by the council of the graduate students' association (AUGSA)
• One (1) non-academic staff member
• One (1) tutor member
• Three (3) public members of the Board appointed by the Chair
• Up to two (2) additional representatives appointed by the Chair, should the Chair determine that they will be important for the reappointment process

The Vice President, Governance and University Relations, and General Counsel, and the Chief Human Resources Officer will serve as resources to the committee.

Further details about the population of the committee will be forthcoming.

The Board is committed to a fair and transparent process, with opportunity for consultation and feedback from the university community.

Updates on the reappointment process can be found on this page.

Please direct any questions to Tyler Tollefson, Vice President, Governance and University Relations, and General Counsel.

Sincerely,

Byron Nelson 
Chair, Board of Governors, Athabasca University