President Leo Groarke is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Scott Henderson as the new dean and head of Trent University Durham GTA for a five-year term effective July 1, 2019.

Dr. Scott Henderson is currently the chair of senate at Brock University and has served as the head of the department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film. An alumnus of Trent University (’88) with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and History, Dr. Henderson holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts degree in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Dr. Henderson’s research explores music and locality, youth culture, popular culture and identity, British cinema and popular culture, and Canadian popular culture.

“Dr. Henderson’s appointment signals another milestone in the development of Trent Durham, at the same time that it signals the success of our alumni and a coming of age for our GTA campus,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “We were impressed with his deep knowledge of Trent and his previous work with internal and external communities at Brock. We are all looking forward to working with him to continue the positive trajectory at Trent Durham GTA.”

The position of dean and head of Trent Durham has a dual reporting structure to both the president and the provost and vice-president academic and will be responsible for all academic, administrative and external activities. As the senior academic and administrative officer of the campus, the dean and head will be expected to develop clear and distinct academic directions that differentiate the Trent Durham GTA campus. 

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Henderson said, “I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater in the role of dean and head of Trent Durham GTA, a campus which seems to me to have the Trent essence that sparked my own lifelong passion for learning and education. I am excited about Trent Durham’s range of programs, its innovative nature and its current development. I look forward to the collaboration, excitement and challenges that will play a key role in its growth and success.”

Dr. Henderson will take on the role following the retirement of Joe Muldoon, current head of Trent Durham GTA. Throughout his 30-year career with the University, Mr. Muldoon has held a number of administrative positions, including: university research officer, coordinator of research and graduate studies, assistant to the dean of Arts & Science, special advisor to the provost (budget and labour relations) and director, Office of the Provost. Mr. Muldoon was appointed head of Trent University Durham in January 2013 and has played a pivotal role in the development of the Durham campus over the last six years.