Trent Durham names alumnus, pop culture expert as first VP for Oshawa campus

A Trent University alumnus and pop culture expert and the current Dean of the school’s Oshawa campus is the inaugural Vice-President of Trent University Durham GTA.

Trent President Leo Groarke made the announcement Wednesday, naming Dr. Scott Henderson as interim vice-president for a one-year term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

“Dr. Henderson’s appointment as interim vice-president signals another milestone in the history and development of the Trent University Durham campus,” said Groarke. “Scott is a passionate champion for Durham, Oshawa and our growing campus in the Greater Toronto Area. I look forward to his leadership in this new role.”

The new role, approved by the Board of Governors earlier this month and a recommendation of the Trent Durham Task Force, will allow for greater integration of decision-making at the Oshawa campus with the goals and initiatives of other vice-presidents, aiding Trent Durham’s ongoing success as the campus continues to expand.

As the university conducts a formal search for permanent vice-president of Trent Durham, Henderson will serve in the interim role, overseeing all campus operations, address local needs, and maintain relationships with the Durham community and government.

“The Durham campus has experienced incredible growth in the past five years,” noted Henderson, who graduated from Trent in 1988 with an Honours BA in English and History. “It is important that the university enhance services and supports for students while making sure that our programming aligns with community needs. I am happy to serve as interim vice-president where I can work with the entire Trent team to continue to make Durham a special place to learn and work.”

Henderson has held the role of Dean and head of Trent Durham since 2019, after a stint at Brock University in St. Catharines, leading all academic, administrative, and external activities as the senior academic and administrative officer of the campus.

Over the last five years Henderson has overseen steady enrolment growth and campus expansion, as Trent Durham has added a new residence and academic building on the Thornton Road campus and celebrated the opening of the Advanced Learning Centre in downtown Oshawa. He has also led the development of several new programs and innovative postgraduate certificates, such as the new certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

Before joining Trent Henderson was the chair of Senate at Brock University and served as the head of the department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film.

Along with his BA from Trent, Henderson also holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts degree in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. A renowned pop culture expert, his research explores music and locality, youth culture, popular culture and identity, British cinema and popular culture and Canadian popular culture.

Dr. Scott Henderson addressing future students at a Trent Durham open house