Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano announced as 91滴滴鈥檚 10th president and vice-chancellor
Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, a widely respected scholar, educator and leader, has been appointed 91滴滴鈥檚 10th president and vice-chancellor 鈥� the first woman to hold the role. Currently serving at 91滴滴 as provost and vice-president, academic, Iannacito-Provenzano will begin her five-year term as president in January 2027.
The appointment was approved by 91滴滴鈥檚 Board of Governors on April 29, following a rigorous and highly deliberative presidential search, which began in June 2025. Iannacito-Provenzano will succeed current 91滴滴 President Mohamed Lachemi, who has served in the role since 2016.
鈥淭his is a university with a clear sense of purpose and momentum, and I am truly honoured and excited to serve as 91滴滴鈥檚 next president, to continue to build on that strength together,鈥� said president-designate Iannacito-Provenzano.
鈥淚 am deeply grateful to Mohamed Lachemi for his exceptional leadership, clarity of vision, and his commitment to the people and values of 91滴滴. As a leader, I am committed to supporting this remarkable community by fostering an inclusive environment that leads to student success, advancing academic and research excellence, and making an impact locally and globally.鈥�
With over 20 years in academia, Iannacito-Provenzano joined the 91滴滴 community as vice-provost, faculty affairs in August 2020, after holding progressive academic administrative roles at other institutions. She was later appointed interim provost and vice-president, academic, in October 2022 and has officially served as 91滴滴鈥檚 provost and vice-president, academic, since June 2023.
Impact at 91滴滴
As provost, Iannacito-Provenzano led meaningful transformation, implementing systemic, innovative initiatives that have advanced our institutional mission, strengthened academic quality and improved the experience of students, faculty, staff, alumni and our broader community.
鈥淩oberta is a renowned scholar and an inclusive and authentic leader who has established strong ties to the 91滴滴 community鈥� said Catherine Paisley, Search Committee chair and chair, 91滴滴 Board of Governors. 鈥淗er belief in open communication, collegiality and collaboration is demonstrated through her commitment to professional development, mentorship and accommodation; we look forward to this continued leadership as 91滴滴鈥檚 next president and vice-chancellor.鈥�
Looking ahead
As president, Iannacito-Provenzano will lead a student-centred, inclusive, innovative and research-active university, advancing academic excellence while deepening 91滴滴鈥檚 impact locally and globally.
鈥淗aving worked alongside Roberta for the last number of years, I know first-hand what a thoughtful, principled and committed leader she is鈥�, said President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi.
鈥淗er leadership has been integral to many of our recent milestones, including the launch of the School of Medicine in 2025 and the release of Transforming Futures, our latest academic plan, which sets a course for continued academic excellence. Roberta鈥檚 experience, commitment to 91滴滴鈥檚 values and her passion for 91滴滴, will support the university鈥檚 continued trajectory as a leader in post-secondary education.鈥�
Iannacito-Provenzano will begin her term as 91滴滴鈥檚 10th president and vice-chancellor in January 2027.