OCNews

The search for the Dean, Science and Technologies is ongoing, as the most recent competition resulted in a frustrated search. Okanagan College will be re-engaging with this search in late fall, with the intention to fill the position by next summer.

In the meantime, Dr. Richard Federley will serve as Interim Dean, Science and Technology. 

Federley holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lake Superior State University and PhD in Chemistry from Wayne State University. He has worked in the post-secondary sector in both the Science and Technology fields, as well as research administration. He has instructed Chemistry at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado, and worked at Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute in both the departments of Systems Medicine and Bioengineering, and Neurosurgery. He moved to Kelowna in 2015 to instruct at UBCO, and joined Okanagan College as a Chemistry Professor in 2018. He was also among the top 32 candidates in the Canadian Space Agency’s latest astronaut recruitment program. Most recently Federley has served as the Associate Dean for the Science, Technology and Health portfolio at Okanagan College.

“Simply put, Science and Technology are exciting. Science increases our basic understanding of the universe and drives innovation of technologies, where technologists serve keystone roles within our society, constructing and maintaining critical systems that touch every aspect of our lives. I am thrilled to fill this interim role, and look forward to supporting the Science and Technology portfolio during this next interval”, said Federley.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Bill Gillett for serving as Interim Dean, Science and Technology this past year as the search got underway. His leadership was steadfast as he supported two very busy and diverse portfolios,” said Provost and Vice-President Academic Andrew Hay. “During his tenure as Associate Dean, Richard demonstrated superb capabilities in working with the portfolio to move key initiatives forward. We are really pleased Richard has agreed to take on this important role for Okanagan College; we know the portfolio will be in very capable hands while we conduct our search.”