For the first time in its 113-year history, the Faculty of Applied Science will have a female dean.
On Feb. 9, Patrick Deane, vice-principal (academic), announced the appointment of Kimberly Woodhouse as the new Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science. I am very excited and looking forward to joining Queen’s University,” Woodhouse said. “I think it’s a fabulous faculty with an energetic staff. There are so many opportunities with a strong faculty.”
In a faculty underrepresented by women, Woodhouse said her appointment is a positive message for women pursuing studying engineering or considering a career in the field.
“Engineering is a lot of fun,” she said. “It is a fabulous profession for a woman as it allows many
opportunities and job diversity.” Currently a chemical engineering professor at the University of Toronto, Woodhouse will begin her five-year term at Queen’s on July 1. Applications and nominations
for the position were opened in September 2006 and by January 2007, the hiring committee had narrowed it down to two candidates: Woodhouse and David Wilkinson, director of the McMaster University Centre for Automotive Materials and the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute.
Woodhouse said, “You need to understand the strengths of the faculty and do any changes in concert with the faculty and staff.” Current Applied Science Dean Tom Harris knew both candidates before hiring for the position began.
“Kimberly Woodhouse will do a fantastic job. She has an interesting background that is well suited for being dean. She has a very good research record and industrial experience and has served on many boards and agencies,” he said. “She will energize faculty staff and students in programs of research and teaching.”
“She has a great capacity to motivate others.” Harris will be leaving at the end of June for two years to concentrate on research, after which he will return to Queen’s as a professor of chemical engineering. Connor Langford, Engineering Society president, said in an e-mail to the Journal that Woodhouse was the best fit.
“Dr. Woodhouse is a fantastic woman who will certainly bring a great deal of industry and research experience to this institution,” he said. “She has an outstanding vision for both the graduate and undergraduate programs at Queen’s which will help keep our education relevant and exciting.” Langford said he’s pleased Woodhouse will continue the tradition of an open dialogue between faculty and students, which was a unique aspect of the Faculty of Applied Science under Harris.
“It is great to know that Dr. Woodhouse will keep this relationship alive and work with all those who have a stake in engineering education.” Langford said it’s not because Woodhouse is a woman that she
will have an impact on women in engineering; it’s because she is an extremely capable researcher, engineer, and professor.
“Her abilities speak to the fact that women have made an immense impact in this field since their arrival.” Charlie Scott, incoming EngSoc president, said he looks forward to working with Woodhouse.
“I am amazed with everything Dr. Woodhouse has done in her career,” Scott told the Journal in an e-mail. “It will be a pleasure to be part of the team where the possibilities for change will be high.”
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