Dr. Rene Van Acker Appointed U of G President
Dr. Rene Van Acker, a world-renowned scholar and leader deeply rooted in the University of Guelph community, has been appointed U of G’s 10th president and vice-chancellor.
Unanimously approved by the University’s Board of Governors, the appointment begins a five-year term, effective July 2, 2025.
With nearly 30 years in academia — including in senior leadership roles as chair of the Department of Plant Agriculture, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and vice-president (research and innovation) — Van Acker is widely known for fostering trust and building high-performing teams across the institution.
“The most important thing we do is graduate highly qualified people,” he says. “At U of G, we do that by focusing on the whole student, giving them that quintessential university experience they’ve been envisioning: interdisciplinary courses, experiential learning, innovative classrooms and a campus of belonging, inspiration and connection. Students don’t just graduate with real-world skills; they become highly ethical, collaborative and practical — qualities employers value in today’s market.”
Read the announcement on U of G News: Dr. Rene Van Acker Appointed U of G President