Our leadership team

Dr. Tara Beattie, PhD, Vice Provost and Dean

Ingrid Hernandez, Executive Assistant to the Vice Provost and Dean

Dr. Michelle Drefs, PhD, Associate Dean, Student Experience

Dr. Drefs is one of two Associate Deans assigned to the Students/Experience portfolio and works closely with the other AD Students (Dr. Cunningham), the FGS leadership team, and the Academic Specialists to support graduate students and faculty experiencing issues with supervision, research progress and extensions, misconduct, exams, and conflict. Dr. Drefs also reviews thesis exams, extensions, and leaves of absence. She also works with other University partners to ensure that graduate student success is supported through effective programming and referral services. Dr. Drefs is a Registered Psychologist and holds a PhD and MSc in Applied Psychology from the University of Calgary and a BA/BEd degree from the University of Lethbridge.

Dr. Stefania Forlini, PhD, Associate Dean, Student Experience

Dr. Forlini is one of two Associate Deans Student Experience who work collaboratively with other leaders at FGS and across campus to ensure a positive graduate student experience and enhance graduate student success. Together with Graduate Academic and International Specialists and other members of the student team, Dr. Forlini provides support to graduate students and faculty navigating challenges with supervision, research progress, extensions, leaves of absence, misconduct, exams, and other issues. She also informs the development of programs and services that support graduate students and of policies relating to student success and academic issues. Dr. Forlini is also an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Clifton Cunningham, PhD, Associate Dean, Students & Interim Head, Graduate College

Dr. Cunningham works closely with Dr. Tara Beattie, Vice Provost and Dean and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Academic Specialists. This group supports graduate students and faculty experiencing issues with supervision, research progress and extensions, misconduct, exams and conflict. Dr. Cunningham collaborates with partners across campus including the International Student Services, the Student Success Centre, The Wellness Centre and others to ensure that graduate student success is supported through effective programming and referral services. Dr. Cunningham also reviews thesis exams, extensions and leaves of absence.

Dr. Oleksiy Osiyevskyy, PhD, Associate Dean, Policy and Program Development

In the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dr. Osiyevskyy oversees initiating changes to academic regulations and clear communication of relevant policies and procedures to Graduate Program Directors, students, and supervisors. He collaborates closely with faculties, the Taylor Institute, and the Program Innovation Hub to assist in successfully developing, approving, and initiating new graduate programs. He chairs the FGS Council's Policy Committee and serves on the Decision Support Team and the General Faculties Council’s Graduate Academic Program Subcommittee. He is also an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business.

Dr. Daniel McGrath, PhD, Associate Dean, Research and Scholarships

Dr. McGrath is the Associate Dean of Research and Scholarships in the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Working with the scholarship team, he is responsible for overseeing the awards and scholarships available to graduate students at the University of Calgary. This includes major competitions such as the Killam and Vanier awards, as well as Tri-Council scholarships offered through the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Dr. McGrath is also the FGS representative on the Associate Deans Research Committee and the Curriculum & Academic Review Committee – Graduate (GARC) in the Faculty of Arts. Dr. McGrath holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Dalhousie University and is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary.

Catherine McLeod, Senior Director, Strategic Operations

Catherine McLeod has strategic oversight for all FGS business operations, and works closely with FGS managers and team members in Admission and Records, Scholarships and Awards, My GradSkills, and Communications. She is a member of the FGS Leadership and Executive committees and represents FGS on numerous committees across campus. Catherine troubleshoots complex and escalated matters related to graduate students and is a great resource for consultation and planning.

Jing Wang, Administrative Assistant

Jing Wang provides administrative support to the Senior Director and Associate Deans. She coordinates student and faculty events, new supervisor workshops, some graduate level appeals, and acts as departmental liaison/coordinator for the Graduate Leaders’ Circle. She is a point-person for calendar requests and special requests specific to the Senior Director and Associate Deans.