Prince George, BC – The University of Northern British Columbia has named the successful candidates for the positions of Vice President Finance and Operations (VPFO), and Vice President Advancement and Communications (VPAC).

Robert Knight will take on the role of VPFO effective April 18, after a five-year position at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where he was the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance.

Tim Tribe will join UNBC July 11 as the VPAC. He comes to Northern B.C. from Conestoga College in Kitchener Ont., where he served as the Chief Development Officer and Campaign Director for the past seven years.

“This search resulted in two exceptional candidates, who can bring a great deal in their respective fields to our University,” said UNBC President Daniel Weeks. “We must continue to improve our position as the nation’s best small University. Robert and Tim will help us enhance our strategic planning, carry out our academic mission, improve the relationships we enjoy with the communities we serve, and advance the University and our reputation.”

“I am proud and excited to join the leadership team at UNBC at such an important time in the University's history,” says Knight. “Although the University has been honoured by receiving a #1 ranking, there are many challenges ahead if we are to build on this reputation and meet the growing needs of Northern B.C. I was attracted to this position because of the opportunity to work with President Weeks and the University community to achieve the bold and ambitious vision that has been developed for UNBC. The fact that I’m coming to such a beautiful, 25-years-young campus, and that it is located in a region that has some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Canada, is just icing on the cake for me.”

“I am honoured to be joining UNBC, a university with an exciting and bright future.  UNBC has achieved a great deal in such a short time and the residents of Northern BC and the University community should be very proud of this success,” says Tribe. “I am looking forward to working with President Weeks and the team at UNBC, the amazing alumni, and the community to meet the vision of UNBC and growing needs of Northern BC.  My wife Angela, daughter Chloe, and I are excited to be joining the community.”

About the candidates

Robert Knight most recently served as the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. He was responsible for a wide range of the School’s operations, including human resources, finance, information technology, facilities planning and construction, and administrative services.

After leaving NYU in 2015 and returning to Canada, Robert served in a term position at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Working with the Dean of the Sobey School of Business, Robert was responsible for the financial administration, information systems, staff supervision and enrollment management for the suite of graduate programs offered by the Sobey School of Business.

Prior to his time at New York University, Knight held a number of roles at other American universities. He was the Associate Dean for Finance and Administration at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Engineering and School of Management, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Financial Planning and Budget Director at Oberlin College in Ohio.

Tim Tribe most recently served as the Chief Development Officer/Campaign Director at Conestoga College. While there he developed long-term strategies to support university fundraising, secured significant donations from a variety of donor bases, including internal and external stakeholders, launched a new alumni engagement tool, realized a 250 per cent increase in total dollars raised, and built an award-winning donor relations program.

He also spent time at several Canadian universities: at McMaster University as the Principal Giving Officer in the Student Awards Portfolio; at the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering as the Director of Advancement; and as the Associate Director of the Medicine and Dentistry Campaign at Western University.

-30-