Durham College appoints new president to head Oshawa, Whitby campuses

Durham College has appointed its next president, Dr. Elaine Popp, a 24-year veteran of post-secondary education.

Popp will take over as head of the college on Mar. 1. She follows Don Lovisa, who has served as president for the last 15 years. Like Lovisa, Popp previously served as Vice President – Academic before taking the leadership. She served in that capacity for five years starting in 2015 until a bump to Executive Vice President in 2020. Prior to joining Durham College, Popp spent 13 years at Humber College and two years at the University of Guelph-Humber.

“Dr. Popp is an impactful, proven and strategic post-secondary leader; her skills, knowledge and experience will continue to drive innovative programming and build on DC’s strong best-in-class reputation,” said DC Board Chair Dr. Gail Johnson Morris. “During her tenure as our Executive Vice President, Academic, Dr. Popp’s innovative and creative solutions have ensured that Durham College’s students have rich opportunities for experiential learning while also strengthening industry partnerships. Her results demonstrate that she is the ideal leader for Durham College.”

The college wrote that over her career Popp has, “repeatedly demonstrated her passion for student success and her rare ability to leverage higher education’s emergent trends to create relevant programming that meets student needs and anticipates industry expectations.”

During her tenure at DC Popp has led the creation Academic Plan, Enrolment Management Plan, Internationalization and Global Engagement Plan and the five-year New Program Development Plan. She also spearheaded 50 new academic programs, added co-op placements to 30 programs, established five applied research centres and increased domestic and international student enrolment.

On her appointment Popp said, “I am incredibly honoured and excited to have the privilege of serving as DC’s next President. I am passionately invested in the success of DC, and how we can build upon the strong foundation that has been established and shape an even more sustainable, people-focused, equity-driven college and foster meaningful connections with the local community and broader global society.”