Message from the ISR Initiative Executive Sponsors

Message from ISR Executive Sponsors.

At USask we have a bold vision to be the University the World Needs.

To make this a reality, we need effective systems that simplify our processes, harness our data, and leverage our Technologies empowering us to excel as a U15 research intensive University and support the diverse and complex work of every member of the USask community.

USask's administrative services are part of the daily experience of students, faculty, researchers, administrative leaders, and employees. These services support:

  • students to thrive in their higher education journey;
  • the Recruitment and Retention of talented USask employees and their growth once they are here;
  • the responsible management of University finances; and
  • the Strategic procurement of goods and services from suppliers

Over many years we have created a complex web of outdated systems that are difficult to use.

Despite efforts to be service oriented and efficient our systems and processes hold us back. As a result we spend a lot of time doing repetitive tasks. We struggle to create quality data and information for reporting decision making. We miss opportunities to collaborate and innovate across our community

As a U15 research intensive university USask requires best practice administrative systems and services so our students have the best services possible, faculty can focus on USask learning and discovery mission, and our staff have the best tools to provide these services.

The Integrated Services Renewal initiative is a multi-year journey to simplify our administrative environment. The initiative will help us:

  • integrate workflows and enhance collaboration;
  • create a positive experience for students, faculty, and staff
  • leverage technology that stays current
  • access data to informed decisions; and
  • create a foundation that can adapt as we change and grow.

How we set up our systems, our processes, our technology, is how we express care and intention to be bold and ambitious as the world-class University that our University of Saskatchewan is.

Our future state is about an administrative environment that's user-friendly, integrated, and building towards being future proofed. And all of that is about making sure our University is best set up to be the university the world needs. Students will be supported through their academic journey through seamlessly integrated administrative services. Faculty and researchers are going to be clear of those processes that are administrative burdens, and employees will have streamlined access to information.

This means that the leadership team will be set up to have enhanced access to information that supports the strategic decision-making our university deserves as the university the world needs.

Join us as we take the next steps on this journey together let's create our future and be the university the world needs.

Dr. Airini (PhD) 
Provost and Vice-President Academic, University of Saskatchewan

Greg Fowler 
Vice-President Administration and Chief Operating Officer, University of Saskatchewan


Decision-Making Bodies

President's Executive Council

The President's Executive Council (PEC) includes the provost, vice-presidents, associate vice-president strategic communications and chief communications officer, university secretary and chief governance officer, and the chief financial officer, and is responsible for advising the president on all matters related to USask's academic and administrative functions. Upon advice from PEC members, and considering information provided by various committees and advisory bodies, the president has the ultimate authority and responsibility for administrative decisions and for determining what will be presented to the Board of Governors and University Council.

ISR Executive Committee

The ISR Initiative is governed by two executive sponsors, Dr. Airini, USask provost and vice-president academic, and Greg Fowler, USask vice-president administration and chief operating officer. The executive sponsors and the project sponsors—Marnie Wright, Associate Vice President, People and Chief Human Resources Officer, Chris Gashler, Interim Associate Vice-President and Chief Information Officer, Wade Epp, Associate Vice-President, Services, and Russ Isinger, Associate Vice-Provost and University Registrar, Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience—make up the ISR executive team. Combined, they are responsible for making final recommendations regarding the ISR Initiative to PEC for review and approval.

  • Wade Epp, Associate Vice-President, Services
  • Marnie Wright, Associate Vice President, People and Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Chris Gaschler, Interim Chief Information Officer, Information and Communications Technology 
  • Russ Isinger, Associate Vice-Provost and University Registrar, Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience

  • Jane Alcorn, Dean, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
  • Suzanne Kresta, Dean, College of Engineering

  • Wilfred Eteng, Initiative Manager, Integrated Services Renewal,
  • Sharon O'Leary, Senior Project Manager, Change Lead
  • Candice Weingartner, Director, Enterprise Systems
  • Chris Gaschler, Director, Enterprise Architecture and Data Management
  • Jae-Anne Peace, Director, ConnectionPoint
  • Keiran Killick, Director, Talent Management and Strategic Enablement
  • Kyle Jurgens, Manager, Enterprise Procurement
  • Russ Isinger, Associate Vice-Provost and University Registrar, Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience
  • Trevor Batters, Controller and Director, Financial Operations
  • Andrew Hildebrandt, Senior Business Architect

Related Information