Dr. Kent MacDonald is a highly regarded leader in the higher education sector. He comes to Northwood University from St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), one of Canada’s oldest and most respected universities, where he has served as president and vice chancellor since 2014. Prior to his term at StFX, Dr. MacDonald also served as president of Algonquin College, one of Canada’s largest and most innovative colleges and one of the country’s leading online education providers.
Kent brings more than two decades of higher education leadership experience to Northwood. In addition to his two presidential appointments, Dr. MacDonald has also served as academic vice president, vice president student services, dean, school of business and full professor. With this range of expertise, Kent is well prepared to support the Northwood staff in a variety of operational areas, including strategic enrollment management, finance, information communication technologies, student athletics, residence operations and areas related to student services.
Dr. MacDonald has many years’ experience in private fundraising and philanthropic outreach. While at StFX he launched a $50 million endowment to enhance access and affordability for students; as well as oversaw the completion of a $100 million campaign to create an academic research center.
Dr. MacDonald earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario) and his Master of Education (MEd) degree from StFX University (Antigonish, Nova Scotia). He is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) where his doctoral research focused on high-performing colleges and presidential leadership. Dr. MacDonald’s research interest is related to the higher education sector and effective leadership. In this regard, he has addressed audiences around the world including Europe, Southeast and Central Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Dr. MacDonald is married to Mary-Ellen MacPhee, who is also a lifelong educator. She is an experienced school principal who is currently completing her PhD, with a focus on student success and inclusion. They met over thirty years ago when they were undergraduate students in Nova Scotia and have since lived in New Zealand and in Ontario. They have four children (Adam, Matthew, Meagan and Patrick) who reside in various parts of Canada.
As we commemorate the birth of this great nation, it is a moment of pride to witness the values that Northwood University upholds, particularly in the face of the challenges that plague many college campuses and communities across the country. Allow me to share an experience that exemplifies the values and remarkable character of our...
Remembering the past; celebrating the present The Emancipation Proclamation was signed Sept. 22, 1862, and documents officially ending the U.S. Civil War were signed on April 9, 1865. Still, racism and prejudice persisted for over 100 years with separate restaurants, restrooms, drinking fountains and schools for Blacks. Tragic events marred history, including the Tulsa race...
By Lt. Col. Allen West (US Army, Ret), Dr. Kent MacDonald, Dr. Timothy Nash
NOTE: A version of this essay was published in the January 2021 edition of When Free To Choose. New legislatures will be seated this month at both the federal and state levels, and they will immediately face historic challenges. Let us hope that the pressure to act quickly does not drive them to act imprudently....
NOTE: A version of this essay was published in the November 2020 edition of When Free To Choose. Northwood University was built on the foundation of several simple yet powerful ideas. At Northwood, we believe free enterprise, personal responsibility, free markets, limited government, rule of law and, of course, freedom are fundamental tenets to democracy...