A Ghanaian professor, Prof Wisdom Tettey has officially commenced his tenure as the 17th President and Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious Carleton University in Canada.

Described as a transformative leader, Prof. Tettey, who assumed his new role on January 1, 2025, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for innovation, equity, and student success.

He joins Carleton from the University of Toronto, where he served as the first Black Vice-President and Principal of the Scarborough campus. His extensive background includes roles as Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, as well as Interim Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Culture at the University of Calgary.

Prof. Tettey’s many achievements as Vice President and principal at the University of Toronto include the launch of a five-year strategic plan, Inspiring Inclusive Excellence, that consolidated U of T Scarborough’s reputation for drawing on diverse perspectives to enrich higher education and strengthen responses to pressing societal challenges, as well as an extensive curriculum review that prioritized centering Indigenous, Black and international perspectives. In addition to the establishment of three research institutes, the period registered an appreciable increase in scholarly support, productivity, and prominence.

The Campus also achieved unprecedented advancement success under his leadership. This included receiving its first 8-figure gifts, such as the landmark $25-million donations each from Orlando Corporation, philanthropists Myron and Berna Garron, and Scarborough-based business leader Sam Ibrahim. The first two investments supported the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) while the third helped to create the Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership.

Tettey also championed the creation and adoption of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education, a commitment by Canadian post-secondary institutions to recognize the impact of anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion. A scholar of African politics, media and diaspora, he played a key role in strengthening U of T’s ties with post-secondary institutions in Africa.

More About Prof Tettey

Born in Ghana, Prof Tettey completed his bachelor’s degree and a graduate diploma at the University of Ghana. He holds a PhD from Queen’s University and a master’s degree from UBC. His interdisciplinary research interests include media, politics, and civic engagement in Africa, as well as African higher education and the knowledge society.

Carleton’s Board of Governors announced Prof Tettey’s appointment in April 2024, describing him as an inclusive and authentic leader.

He succeeds Jerry Tomberlin, who served as interim president following the resignation of former president Benoit-Antoine Bacon.

In a video message to students, Prof Tettey expressed his excitement about the transformative possibilities that lie ahead for the university community.

He stressed his commitment to fostering a bold community of conscientious and adaptable global leaders who challenge the status quo and champion transformative change.

“As I begin my tenure as Carlton University’s 17th President and Vice-Chancellor I want to let you know how honoured, humbled and grateful I am for the significant privilege of serving you. I am excited about the transformative possibilities that lie ahead as we embark on this journey together and collectively build on a solid reputation that you together with our partners have forged.

“Notwithstanding the current challenges that we and indeed our sector face Carleton’s future looks bright. I believe in our capacity to sustain the unstoppable momentum that is supported by Carleton’s commitment to its mission, culture and spirit of inclusive excellence, innovation, engagement and impacts,” Prof Tettey stated.

He extended his gratitude to everyone who made it possible for him to enter the university.

“Thanks to everyone who helped to make my entry into this community possible through involvement in a broad engagement process that shapes what we are looking for in a leader.”