Deborah Saucier

Dr. Deborah Saucier became President and Vice-Chancellor of Vancouver Island University in July 2019. An experienced administrator, accomplished neuroscientist, and devoted educator, Dr. Saucier is deeply committed to access and learner success, Indigenous education, and community engagement.

Originally from Saskatoon, Dr. Saucier is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Dr. Saucier started her journey in academia on Vancouver Island, completing an International Baccalaureate diploma at the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in Metchosin, and then bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology at the University of Victoria, receiving her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Western Ontario in 1995.

Dr. Saucier worked as a neuroscience/psychology professor for many years, and in recognition of her research, she was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Neuroscience. She has garnered a number of grants to support her research, including awards from Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. She has also held a number of administrative roles, most recently President of MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta, and Provost and Vice President (Academic) at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa.

Aside from continuing VIU’s innovative work in Indigenous education, access, and community engagement, Dr. Saucier is a major proponent of a well-rounded university experience that includes training in both the sciences and the humanities.