About Ryerson

Office of the President

Sheldon Levy
President and Vice-Chancellor
Ryerson University

Sheldon Levy is President and Vice Chancellor of Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. Previous post-secondary appointments include Vice President, Finance and Strategy, University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Vice President, Government and Institutional Relations, University of Toronto; President, Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology; and Vice President, Institutional Affairs, York University. He received a master's degree in Mathematics and a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from York University.

Current appointments include Vice Chair, Council of Ontario Universities; Board of Directors, Steering Committee, Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance; Honorary Board of Directors, Greater Toronto Marketing Authority; Advisory Council, Toronto Board of Trade; Board of Directors, Toronto East General Hospital and Board of Governors, Trails Youth Initiatives.

With over thirty years dedicated to postsecondary education, Sheldon is recognized for championing dynamic growth in academic quality, research excellence and student success, and his impassioned advocacy for the role of the university as city-builder. He believes strongly in the ability and the responsibility of universities to advance social and economic progress through knowledge and innovation.

At Ryerson, city-building is an integral part of the Academic Plan, Strategic Research Plan, and campus Master Plan, working together with the university community and partners in both the public and private sectors to define a direction that will have a meaningful impact. Two current examples are the Digital Media Zone, an entrepreneurial research and development centre largely run by students that has attracted international attention and, in its first year, has created jobs and launched 20 new companies; and the Centre for Urban Energy which, in partnership with three founding sponsors: Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, and the Ontario Power Authority, is studying global urban energy issues such as alternative local energy, conservation, and development of the electric car. Planning is under way for similar initiatives in additional academic areas.

Above all, Sheldon sees the value and potential of individual effort, and the importance of aiming high in working for positive change. He is a committed advocate on behalf of student financial assistance, equal access, inclusion, diversity and equity as defining characteristics of a strong and vibrant community.

October 12, 2011

Ryerson revolution
Read a Toronto Life article on how President Levy is leading the transformation of Ryerson into "an urban academic force" that is "redrawing downtown." more