Our leadership team

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

Dr. Cunningham works closely with Dr. Robin Yates, 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.

Associate Dean, Policy and Program Development (Vacant)

Dr. David Anderson, PhD, Associate Dean, Transdisciplinary Scholarship

Dr. Anderson is overseeing the design, development, and delivery of the University of Calgary’s proposed transdisciplinary graduate programs. These include both thesis-based master’s and PhD programs in “transdisciplinary research” as well as course-based certificate and master’s programs in “transdisciplinary studies”. He is also as associate professor (teaching) in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Dr. Daniel McGrath, PhD, Associate Dean, Scholarships (Incoming)

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.

Dr. Donna-Marie McCafferty, PhD, Associate Dean, Scholarships (Outgoing)

Dr. McCafferty is responsible for awards and scholarships made available to graduate students through the Faculty of Graduate Studies. These include the Killam and Vanier awards, and Tri-Council scholarships offered through the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Graduate Awards Competition. Dr. McCafferty is the FGS representative on the Associate Deans Research Committee, and serves as the liaison with the Vice President Research office and relevant University ethics committees. Dr. McCafferty also works with the Associate Dean (Students) on student-related issues.

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.