University of Waterloo names Bill Rosehart as next president and vice-chancellor

Engineering graduate and current University of Guelph provost will become the institution’s eighth president and vice-chancellor in July 2026.

The University of Waterloo has appointed Dr. Bill Rosehart as its next President and Vice-Chancellor, marking the first time a Waterloo alumnus will lead the Canadian research university. Rosehart will begin a five-year term on July 1, 2026, succeeding Dr. Vivek Goel.

Rosehart currently serves as Provost and Vice-President Academic at the University of Guelph and previously held senior leadership roles at the University of Calgary. The appointment comes as universities continue to navigate shifts in research, technology, and skills development across higher education.

Rosehart shared the news in a LinkedIn post, writing: “Today, I am deeply honoured to be appointed the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo.”

A return to Waterloo

Rosehart described the appointment as a return to an institution that shaped his academic career.

“This is a homecoming for me,” he wrote, noting that he is a three-time Waterloo graduate. “I experienced co-op as an undergraduate, felt the energy of this university’s research environment as a graduate student, and discovered the joy of teaching here as a sessional instructor.”

He added that Waterloo’s people have been central to its reputation and impact. “Waterloo shaped how I think, how I learn, and how I lead. It is part of who I am.”

Rosehart also emphasized the role of collaboration as universities face changing expectations. “The post-secondary sector is undergoing significant change, shaped by evolving expectations and new opportunities,” he wrote. “I believe Waterloo is well positioned to lead through this moment by working together—with transparency, respect, and a shared commitment to this institution and its future.”

Leadership transition at the university

The appointment follows a search process led by the university’s Presidential Nominating Committee with input from faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

Dr. Vivek Goel, who has served as President and Vice-Chancellor since 2021, welcomed the announcement of his successor in a LinkedIn post.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Bill Rosehart back to his alma mater to become the first Waterloo alumnus to serve as president,” Goel wrote. “His track record of transformational leadership, his commitment to inclusive excellence, and his deep understanding of experiential education position him exceptionally well to guide Waterloo into its next chapter.”

Goel added that the university is expected to continue expanding its research and innovation work under the new leadership. “Under his leadership, I am confident that Waterloo will continue to drive innovation and make meaningful contributions locally, nationally, and globally.”

Experience across Canadian research universities

Rosehart brings more than two decades of leadership experience across Canadian universities.

At the University of Guelph, he has served as Provost and Vice-President Academic, overseeing academic strategy and institutional planning. Earlier in his career he was Dean of the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.

A researcher in electrical energy systems, Rosehart has supervised more than 30 graduate students and published extensively in the field.

His appointment comes at a time when universities are facing increasing pressure to expand experiential learning, strengthen research capacity, and respond to emerging technologies shaping the future of higher education.

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