Call for Nominations for University of Toronto Chancellor

The Chancellor Search Committee of the College of Electors invites nominations for the position of Chancellor of the University of Toronto for a three-year term, ideally commencing July 1, 2024.

Established in 1827 by royal charter, the University of Toronto is the largest and most research-intensive university in Canada, located in one of the world's great urban regions.  Operating on three campuses with more than 97,000 students, the University is globally renowned for its teaching and research. It is consistently ranked among the top ten universities globally in the production of influential research and is a North American leader for research-based start-up companies. The annual operating budget is $3.2 billion, with an additional $1.41 billion per annum in external research support across its three campuses and fourteen partner hospitals.

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University, and, with the President and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governing Council, represents the University to the external community.  In this role, the Chancellor is an advocate for the vision of the University as it is articulated by the President and endorsed by the Governing Council.  They play an essential ambassadorial role in advancing the University’s interests within the local, provincial, national and international arenas.

The ideal candidate will be a distinguished person with a record of demonstrated excellence in his/her chosen field and in service to the community.  They will have a strong public presence and profile, and well-developed relationship-building skills.

The Chancellor is elected for a term of three years and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.  The Chancellor serves as a volunteer and receives no remuneration; they are required by statute to be a Canadian citizen.

Dr. Rose Patten’s second term as Chancellor will come to an end as of June 30, 2024.  At that time the Chancellor will have completed the maximum service length permitted by the University of Toronto Act, 1971.  Chancellor Patten’s tireless and exemplary work on behalf of the University over the past six years is deeply appreciated by the entire University community.

The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

The Chancellor Search Committee will accept nominations as of Thursday, November 16, 2023.  Nominations will continue to be accepted until the Committee makes its recommendation to the College of Electors, the body responsible for the election of the Chancellor.

The Chancellor Position Profile and Nomination Form is available uoft.me/Chancellor-Search-Fall-2023 [PDF].


Nominations and requests for further information may be submitted in confidence to the address below.

Tracey Gameiro
Secretary, Chancellor Search Committee
University of Toronto
27 King’s College Circle, Room 106
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1
Phone:  416-978-8425
E-mail: coe@utoronto.ca