President Leo Groarke is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Julie Davis to a third five-year term as vice-president of External Relations & Development, commencing October 31, 2021. The appointment comes with an expanded role and a new title which reflects the evolution of her role and her key leadership in the development of Trent lands.

“We are very lucky to have Julie continue in an expanded role at Trent. She is a dedicated and transformational leader, and proven herself as a senior member of Trent’s executive team,” said Dr. Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent. “With major milestones on the horizon for the sustainable development of the Trent Lands, and many important relationships to cultivate with our local communities, alumni and other partners, Julie’s leadership will, I’m sure, play a pivotal role in Trent’s ongoing success.”

Responsible for philanthropy, alumni affairs and external relations, VP Davis’ portfolio will expand to include responsibility and oversight of the Trent Lands, following the recent approval of the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan. She will oversee Cleantech Commons and the Trent Enterprise Centre, as well as the collaboration with peopleCare Communities to create a new, 224-bed long-term care (LTC) home on University lands, and the vision of a University-Integrated Seniors Village.

“I look forward to continuing to shape the future of Trent by deepening our relationship with the communities we serve, and attracting the resources and partnerships to realize our plans,” said Ms. Davis. “I am committed to advancing reconciliation and environmental stewardship while we pursue innovative projects that enhance the student experience, bring research to life, and meet community needs.”

Over the past two terms, Ms. Davis led the External Relations & Advancement team in a number of community-minded and future-focused initiatives. In her first term, Ms. Davis oversaw Trent’s successful 50th anniversary celebrations and its related fundraising campaign, engaged a rapidly growing alumni body through expanded programming, and increased alumni positions on University committees and the Board of Governors.

Under her leadership, the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan received Board of Governors approval in February 2021, following three years of studies and community engagement. The University is poised to become a leader in sustainability and best-practice campus planning, through the implementation of a bold, long-term vision for how the Symons Campus will develop new spaces for learning and living while at the same time preserving 60 per cent of its lands as natural and green spaces. She previously championed and led the creation of the University’s first Heritage Stewardship Policy to preserve Trent’s valued and iconic architecture and cultural assets.

Through the Trent Lands Plan, and other initiatives like the Protocol Handbook, Ms. Davis and her team have developed strong foundations for reconciliation, honouring the treaty and traditional territory on which Trent is located, while building stronger, mutually beneficial relationships with local Michi Saagiig (Mississauga) Anishnaabeg communities. She also continues to strengthen relationships with regional partners in Peterborough City and County, the City of Oshawa, and Durham Region.

On the philanthropic front, Ms. Davis’ Advancement team had laudable success over the past five years, including the recent completion of the Campaign for Trent Durham, which raised $5.6M toward the creation of a new residence and academic building at the Durham GTA campus. In 2018, the team also wrapped the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Trent’s history. Unleash the Potential raised $56.8M to advance the University’s top priorities, including elevating the teaching experience, strengthening Trent’s transformative student experience and providing students with state-of-the-art facilities like the new Student Centre, and the transformation of the Bata Library into a library of the future.

“Julie Davis has been instrumental in propelling the University forward on key initiatives,” said Armand Labarge, chair of Trent’s Board of Governors, “Her leadership was essential to the successful campaign for Trent Durham, as well as Unleash the Potential, the most ambitious philanthropic campaign in the University’s history. We are pleased to have her at the helm of External Relations and Development portfolio and look forward to the new milestones and successes the next five years will bring for the University under her leadership.”