As the Faculty of Arts & Science continues to pursue excellence in teaching and research in the midst of generational changes to post-secondary education, Dean Matt Letts is pleased to announce that Dr. Hillary Rodrigues will join the associate team in July. Hillary replaces Dr. Harold Jansen while he takes up his post as University Librarian.
Dr. Rodrigues is a renowned Religious Studies scholar who literally writes the textbooks for students in the field. Hillary has extensive administrative experience as Chair, as well as a deep understanding of liberal education, and the needs of our students. With a stellar record of extramurally-funded research and teaching excellence, Dr. Rodrigues will hit the ground running and bring creative perspectives to the Dean’s Office in 2021-22. ~ Dr. Matt Letts
Hillary Rodrigues is a Professor and former Chair of both the Departments of Anthropology and Religious Studies. During almost 30 years at the University of Lethbridge, he has served on a wide assortment of departmental, faculty, and institutional committees, including the Arts and Science Executive, Grade Appeal, STP, Speaker Award, and the Distinguished Teacher Selection committees. At the national level, he has Chaired the India Studies Committee for the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.
His internationally recognized research, which has repeatedly received support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, has focused on Eastern religions and philosophies, and theory on the nature of religion. His commitment to liberal education and alternative approaches to pedagogy in the academic study of religion has led him to write several university-level textbooks, most of which continue to be contracted for new editions. He has served as a Board of Governors Teaching Chair and is a recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.
The Faculty of Arts and Science will surely face unforeseen challenges as we revert to mainly in-person teaching, learning, research, and interactions this year. I look forward to facilitating those experiences for our students and faculty, and feel fortunate to be working alongside Matt, Janay, and Jennifer, exceptional colleagues who share in this commitment. ~Hillary Rodrigues