News Archives

WHITEHORSE, YT—The Yukon University board of governors is pleased to announce Jamena James Allen as the new chancellor of Yukon University. Allen takes over from Piers McDonald, who has held the position since 2016. 

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University is joining universities and colleges across Canada in a series of national dialogues to facilitate concrete actions for change in higher education and in our communities.  

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University board chair David Morrison announced today that president Dr. Mike DeGagné has resigned his position. 

“We are disappointed that Dr. DeGagné is unable to continue as president but respect his decision,” said David Morrison, chair of the Yukon University Board of Governors.  

“It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision. Yukon University is a fantastic institution. There is much to be proud of here. Yukon and Canada are fortunate to have such dedicated faculty, staff and executives working hard to make a difference for students, northerners and all Canadians,” said Dr. DeGagné. 

Effective immediately, the Yukon University Board of Governors has appointed Vice President University Services Dr. Maggie Matear as interim president and vice chancellor. 

WHITEHORSE, YT—By switching to virtual, online offerings this Fall, the Continuing Studies division at Yukon University has increased the variety of courses available to Yukoners and is able to reach more people than ever before. 

Continuing Studies (CS) encompasses short professional, personal and organizational development courses, workplace certifications, youth Science and Technology programming, social innovation, social justice and first aid training.  

These courses see between 4500 to 5000 students annually—the majority of whom attend in-person classes at one of YukonU’s 13 campuses. This number is in addition to the 1200 to 1300 credit program students attending each year. 

When COVID-19 response measures came into effect in March, CS initially suspended offerings, but quickly pivoted to delivering learning via online, self-paced methods and live Zoom sessions. 

UPDATED Sept. 3:

WHITEHORSE, YT — A student award that supported a single bursary of $500 annually will now support six students each year. This is thanks to the generosity of friends, family and two corporate donations. 
 
Paul and Helen Flaherty created the bursary in 2016 while Paul served as Yukon College Board of Governors chair. The award supports students engaged in university prep courses, which many know as upgrading, with the intention of enrolling in a credit program. 
 
From Paul’s time on the board, hearing directly from students on challenges they face in their educational journeys, he and Helen saw how precarious this first step of returning to post-secondary education can be. They endeavoured to support and encourage students at this initial stage.

WHITEHORSE, YT—With most credit program instruction taking place online in the Fall semester, YukonU is ensuring students can access in-person academic and personal supports at all 13 campuses.  

“We know the shift to online learning due to COVID-19 comes with the loss of social contact and sense of community on campus. We expect students to be in greater need of in-person supports than ever before, so this is where our focus will be,” said Dr. Janet Welch, vice president Academic and Student Services.  

“To protect the health and safety of students, employees and their loved ones, we can’t offer in-person classes, but we want credit students to know that campus supports are here for them,” added Welch.