As President, Dr. Leo Groarke’s extraordinary contributions and influences have left an indelible mark on countless people, places, and projects at Trent and beyond, cementing an everlasting legacy of innovation, inclusivity, and philanthropy.
Academic Innovator
- Introduced 60+ new and progressive undergraduate degree programs, specializations, and options including Water Sciences B.Sc., Financial Analytics B.Sc., Health & Behaviour B.A., Law & Arts/Science Dual Degree, Specializations in Health Studies, Public Policy and Ethics, and Options in Leadership, Digital Humanities, Planning, and Indigenous Reconciliation & Resurgence
- Launched 18 new Ph.D., Master’s, and Graduate Diplomas, including Master of Instrumental Chemical Analysis, Master of Nursing, Master of Management, Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Social Research, Master’s in Aging Studies, and first-of-its-kind graduate diplomas in Mental Health & Addiction
- Implemented 20+ new paid co-op streams across the arts, sciences, and social sciences
- Led Trent to becoming the third university in Canada to introduce an Indigenous Course Requirement
- Established four new Schools: School for the Study of Canada, School of the Environment, School of Business, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies
- Welcomed eight new Canada Research Chairs: Rural Aging; Environmental Archeology; Environmental Geoscience; Study of the Canadian North; Media, Culture & the Environment; Community-Partnered Social Justice; Global Change of Freshwater Systems; Care Work, Ethnicity, Race & Aging
- Oversaw the inaugural appointments of the Jarislowsky Chair in Trust & Political Leadership; Associate Deans; Fulbright Research Chair in Comparative Canada-US Studies; and the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Campus Visionary
- Developed state-of-the-art learning and community facilities including the modern and bright new Student Centre, a significant Bata Library revitalization, a sector-leading Forensics Crime Scene Facility, and the spectacular Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Traill College downtown Peterborough
- Executed Trent Durham expansion by establishing a new residence and academic building, and inaugurating the Advanced Learning Centre for postgraduate studies in downtown Oshawa
- Obtained Board approval for Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, delineating a bold campus vision for a sustainable future
- Designated Cleantech Commons – focused on green innovations - to lead the development of Canada’s premier cleantech destination
- Led institutional reviews to revitalize the operations and strategy of departments and areas including Recruitment, Career Services, Research, Student Retention and Success, Internationalization, as well as Traill College and the Durham Campus
- Planned significant future developments including the Seniors Village, Cleantech Commons, Water Street Housing for upper-year students, and the redevelopment of Otonabee College
- Announced the addition of Trent's newest college, Gidigaa Migizi, named to honour the late professor, elder, and community leader
- Maintained Trent's status as Ontario’s #1 undergraduate university, totaling 13 consecutive years. Positioned Trent among the top 7.4% of universities worldwide
- Put Trent on the map as a destination for art lovers by helping the university acquire a collection of nationally significant works – designated by Heritage Canada – through the Public Sculpture Initiative (PSI)
- Achieved year-over-year increases in applications and registrations through strategic enrolment management initiatives
- Successfully negotiated positive agreements with faculty and staff unions. Led Trent to become the fourth member institution of the jointly sponsored University Pension Plan
- Achieved eight years of balanced budgets through responsible fiscal management
- Launched the first debenture offering, Responsibility Centred Management, and sustained A stable bond rating for seven consecutive years
Momentous Philanthropic & Community Leader
- Spearheaded Trent’s most ambitious and comprehensive philanthropic campaign, The Campaign for Momentous Change – an initiative already seeing remarkable progress towards its $100 million goal
- Surpassed goals with the successful completion of the $56.8M Unleash the Potential Campaign and $6.6M Campaign for Trent Durham GTA
- Established the Louis and Paul Groarke Philosophy Endowment to foster public discourse and debate, student development, and community engagement
- Earned Trent the title of Employer of the Year by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in 2021
- Celebrated milestone anniversaries including Trent University’s 50th, Trent Durham’s 40th, Bata Library’s 50th, Indigenous Studies 50th, Canadian Studies 50th, and Otonabee College’s 50th
- Created the Champlain Committee to engage in thoughtful and critical discourse on a variety of topics related to the legacy of Samuel de Champlain as it relates to the University and the identity of Champlain College
- Safely navigated #TrentForward through the COVID pandemic, providing emergency student support funds, housing for local frontline workers, and critical PPE donations
Crossed Continents to Advance a Globalized Trent
- Strengthened international reputation through research and teaching collaborations, global recruitment endeavors, and student exchanges
- Achieved sustainable international enrolment growth to constitute growth to 20% of overall intake over 10 years
- Formed new MOUs and partnerships with institutions around the world including Tianjin University, and Ibero
- Implemented dual degree programs in law, engineering, and medical sciences in collaboration with Swansea University in the UK
- Established medical professional stream and pathways with four international medical schools
- Launched the Sustainable Guyana Program, a unique strategic partnership aimed at training Guyana’s future leaders in sustainable development
Creative Collaborator
- Inspired new Trent traditions, including the beloved and highly-anticipated annual holiday video
- Took his passion for visual projects viral, becoming known as Trent’s Instagrammable president
- Collaborated with Chancellor Stephen Stohn, putting the University’s best foot forward with the official green (and blue) Trent shoes – soon to be available to all!
- Advantaged opportunities to engage with faculty and staff in unique Leo fashion, including the popular Paddle with the President events as well as conversational Open Meetings