NEW GLASGOW – A former New Glasgow resident who still has strong ties to the county has been named of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
Dr. Vianne Timmons, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina, is currently in Toronto with her family to accept her award from the Women’s Executive Network.
“You know what I feel like… a Maritime girl,” she said, when asked if she feels like she is one of the country’s most powerful women. “I am humbled. I was quite astounded and surprised and I feel really appreciative of the women who nominated me.”
As a graduate of New Glasgow High School, Timmons said many of her role models in life came from her hometown. She credits her involvement in sports and groups such as the Allied Youth Program with giving her leadership skills.
“Yud MacKinnon, who was principal at New Glasgow High School at the time, pushed me to look at opportunities,” she said.
Timmons earned degrees from Mount Allison University, Acadia University and Gonzaga University in Washington state before receiving her doctorate from the University of Calgary. She served as chair of education at St. Francis Xavier University from 1993-1995, before becoming dean of education and the vice-present of academic development at the University of Prince Edward Island. She became president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina in 2008.
The WXN top award honours Timmons for her work in the public sector leaders category in four areas: management role; vision and leadership; corporate performance; and community service. She was named to the top 100 in the public sector leaders category in 2010, and in the professionals category in both 2008 and 2009.
Timmons said as a young child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher when she became an adult and she is fortunate she had the opportunity to expand on this career.
“I had no idea I would ever be president of a university,” she said. “I thought I would be a teacher and I am a teacher and I had wonderful opportunities come along the way.”
Paul McLellan, chair of the University of Regina’s Board of Governors, congratulated Timmons on her award, saying she has devoted her working life to serving many of the most vulnerable in its communities.
“This award is a reflection not just of the quality of Dr. Timmons’s administrative work since becoming president of the university in 2008, but also of her life of service in other capacities,” he said.
Yet, despite the high accolades and the fact that her work takes her all over North America, Timmons says her roots are very firmly planted in Pictou County.
“I come home every summer,” she said. “My parents (Jack and Georgetta Timmons) still live there and I visit every year. I wouldn’t miss it.”
