Talking about the thousands of first-year students gathered at Richardson Stadium at the beginning of each academic year, Corinna Fitzgerald teared up.
The annual welcome event is one Fitzgerald helped develop earlier in her career at Queen’s. Now, as vice-provost (student affairs), she said watching students arrive together at the beginning of their university experience is one of her favourite parts of the job.
“I almost burst into tears every time,” Fitzgerald said in an interview with The Journal. “I see all the students coming together all in one place, they’re all excited, cheering their faces off.”
For Fitzgerald, who was permanently appointed into the role this summer after serving in acting and interim capacities for 18 months, working with students stays at the centre of a career spanning more than 25 years.
Her five-year term began July 1. She oversees 21 units across the Division of Student Affairs, including areas like student recruitment and admissions, residences and ancillary services, student wellness, career development, academic success, equity centres, and Athletics and Recreation.
The division includes about 400 full-time staff and around 2,000 students working or volunteering in different capacities, according to Fitzgerald.
Despite the size of the portfolio, Fitzgerald said her favourite part of the position is simple.
“Working with students, period,” she said.
From rural Newfoundland to Queen’s
Fitzgerald grew up in rural Newfoundland in a community of about 1,200 people. There were 24 students in her graduating high school class, and she said she was the only one who went directly to university.
Fitzgerald initially thought she would be a guidance counsellor. She later completed a master’s degree in postsecondary education and began working in student housing.
Her career eventually took her through McMaster University, St. Francis Xavier University, and Humber College before she arrived at Queen’s in 2016.
“I was really keen to come to a campus that had such a vibrant student life,” she said.
She initially served as assistant dean (student life and learning), overseeing areas including Queen’s equity centres and the Student Experience Office.
Following internal changes after the COVID-19 pandemic, Fitzgerald also assumed responsibility for Student Conduct and Care and became associate vice-provost.
She became acting vice-provost and dean (student affairs) in January 2025 when her predecessor, Ann Tierny, began a six-month study leave.
After 18 months of leading the division, she was permanently appointed to the position.
Keeping up with students
At Queen’s, Fitzgerald emphasized making sure to stay relevant to new students.
“Students change. Every generation is different. Their expectations are different,” she said.
She pointed to conversations with student governments, student focus groups, attending campus events, and including students in policy development and hiring panels as other ways she seeks input.
“Even when we disagree, we’re always going to be connected,” she said. “We’re always rooting for them in whatever capacity.”
Fitzgerald said that one challenge is making sure students know that.
“Part of what I sometimes worry about is that students don’t know how much we actually do care about their success,” she said.
Affordability at the forefront
Among the issues Fitzgerald heard about from students, affordability is one of the most prominent.
She said affordability is connected to questions about whether students feel their university education is worth its cost.
While she said students in a focus group she held last year felt generally positive about their experience, Fitzgerald acknowledged that experience isn’t universal.
“Students from equity-deserving groups in particular continue to need resources that are applicable to their experience,” she said. “We probably aren’t fully where we need to be, and so that’s always a focus for us.”
Fitzgerald also identified tension around how the University responds to political and social issues. She said some students want Queen’s to take more active positions through public statements, while the University also has a responsibility to create space to advocate and express different views.
‘We’re so proud of students’
As she described thousands of first-year students gathering at Richardson Stadium for their opening ceremony, she became visibly emotional.
“We’re so proud of students. They don’t even know we’re proud of them.”
Tags
Corinna Fitzgerald, Five year term, Vice-Provost Student Affairs
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