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==Leadership==
==Leadership==


Dr. George Iwama is the current president of Quest University Canada.<ref>https://questu.ca/about/leadership/office-of-the-president/</ref> The Chancellor is Peter Webster, the chairman of the R. Howard Webster Foundation.<ref>https://questu.ca/about/leadership/the-board/</ref> The Quest Board of Governors currently consists of eight members, headed by Board Chair Mary Jo Larson, a noted{{cn|date=October 2018}} attorney. In 2018, Anna Lipman became the first alum elected to the Board. Dr. Doug Munroe, Social Sciences Faculty, is the university's interim Chief Academic Officer.
Dr. George Iwama is the current president of Quest University Canada.<ref>https://questu.ca/about/leadership/office-of-the-president/</ref> The Chancellor is Peter Webster, the chairman of the R. Howard Webster Foundation.<ref>https://questu.ca/about/leadership/the-board/</ref> The Quest Board of Governors currently consists of eight members, headed by Board Chair Mary Jo Larson, a noted attorney who has been named a top lawyer in Michigan.<ref>https://www.wnj.com/Professionals/Attorneys/Mary-Jo-Larson</ref> In 2018, Anna Lipman became the first alum elected to the Board. Dr. Doug Munroe, Social Sciences Faculty, is the university's interim Chief Academic Officer.


==Campus==
==Campus==

Revision as of 17:31, 18 October 2018

Quest University Canada
File:Questu logo.png
Mottocuriosity required
TypePrivate, secular, not-for-profit liberal arts university
Established2007
ChancellorPeter Webster
PresidentGeorge Iwama
Location
Squamish
,
British Columbia
,
Canada
CampusSmall town one hour from major urban centre
ColoursGreen  , silver  , and white  
NicknameQuest
AffiliationsCBIE, CUP
Websitequestu.ca

Quest University Canada is a private, not-for-profit, secular liberal arts and sciences university. The university opened in September 2007 with an inaugural class of 73. Current enrolment hovers around 600. As of summer 2018 there were over 700 alumni. A formal Quest alumni association was created in 2017.

Quest has an unconventional curriculum and its approach to teaching and learning differs from most universities.[1][2] A four-year school, it offers one degree, the Bachelors of Arts and Sciences. It uses the Block Plan, adapted and modified from the Block Plan at Colorado College. Classes are seminar-style and are capped at 20 students. There are five divisions (Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Mathematics, and Social Sciences) instead of traditional departments. In lieu of declaring a major, students write a personalized Question. The degree culminates in a major work called a Keystone project.[3][4][5][6][7]

The university is located on a 60-acre (24.3 ha) hilltop campus on the edge of Garibaldi Provincial Park. It is approximately 75 km (47 miles) from Vancouver and 60 km (37 miles) from Whistler, British Columbia. Quest University Canada is approved by the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) under the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education.[8] It is fully accredited, and is registered as a British Columbia Education Quality Assurance (EQA) approved post-secondary institution.[9]

History

Pre-Founding and Founding

Quest University Canada was originally created as the Sea to Sky University in May 2002, when the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia passed the Sea to Sky University Act. The Act's stated aim was to create a university that would "offer a rigorous and well-rounded university education in the arts and sciences with a global focus".[10] It was originally incorporated as a foundation in 1998 by David Strangway, Peter Ufford, and Blake Bromley.[11][12]

The university is the brainchild of David Strangway who, after his retirement as president of the University of British Columbia, wished to fill what he perceived as a void in Canadian higher education: the absence of private, secular, not-for-profit liberal arts universities, which he saw as the pinnacle of undergraduate education in the U.S.[12]

The university received grants from the J.W. McConnell Foundation, R. Howard Webster Foundation, and the Stewart and Marilyn Blusson Foundation, which enabled the university to begin construction on its campus and hire staff.[13] In October 2005, the university changed its name to Quest University Canada. [14] The school officially opened its doors to students in 2007.

Early Years

During its first years of operation, the university underwent a number of administrative changes. David Strangway stepped aside as president and was replaced by Thomas L. Wood, who had served for 14 years as president of Mount Royal College and three years as Quest's Chief Academic Officer. Less than a year later, Wood was replaced by an interim president, Dean Duperron.[15][16] Duperron's appointment was the result of a proposed alliance with CIBT Education Group, but the alliance was dissolved within a month.[16]

The Board of Governors invited Dr. David Helfand, chair of the astronomy department at Columbia University, to serve as interim president.[16] Helfand had been an advisor to the school's founders in 2005, and had been a visiting tutor since 2007.[17] In 2011, Quest graduated its first class. That same year, Helfand took a long-term leave of absence from Columbia and assumed the presidency, which he retained through August 2015.[18][19]

Dr. Peter Englert succeeded Helfand.[20][21] He served until May 8, 2017 when he was removed by the university's Board of Governors.[22] Dr. George Iwama was appointed as Quest's Vice-Chancellor and fifth President on August 25, 2017.[23][24] In September 2017 Quest named their newest Chancellor Peter Webster, the President of the R. Howard Webster Foundation.[25]

Academics

Quest has an unconventional curriculum that emphasizes multidisciplinarity and eschews traditional departments. [26] The university offers one degree for all students, the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences.[27] There are no lecture halls. Every class has a maximum of 20 students. The faculty hold terminal degrees in their field, but are known as Tutors rather than Professors. There is no tenure system at Quest. Faculty are reviewed periodically through a Faculty Performance Review Committee consisting of their peers. There is strong emphasis on the quality of instruction, as Quest is not a research-driven university.

Other distinguishing features include the Foundation and Concentration Programs, Block Plan scheduling, a Question instead of a conventional major, and a final Keystone project. Dr. Doug Munroe, Social Sciences Faculty, is currently the university's interim Chief Academic Officer.[28]

The Foundation Program

In their first two years of study, students enrol in 16 Foundation courses. After completing the Cornerstone and Rhetoric courses, they enrol in another 14 classes chosen from five major divisions: Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts & Humanities. They must also fulfil a language requirement.

The Question

Toward the end of the Foundation Program, students take a course called Question. Working with an instructor and a faculty mentor, they develop a statement of Question: a proposal for how they will study a topic of particular interest to them. The Question is in lieu of a conventional major, serves as the basis for the remaining two years of study, and inspires the student's Keystone project.

Questions can range from broad to specific. Examples of student Questions include: Do we desire truth or narrative? How can we effectively eradicate infectious diseases? How can we make the Canadian justice system more just? How can art transform conflict? What shapes city space Questions often draw on several disciplinary traditions, key works and thinkers, and involve sub-questions. Each Question is unique to the student.

The Concentration Program

The remaining two years are known as the Concentration Program. With the help of a faculty advisor, students design a personalized program, which consists of four principal elements:

  1. a statement of the Question
  2. a course plan
  3. a list of related readings
  4. a Keystone project

Along with their Concentration (or Focus) Courses, students take between one and four Experiential Learning Blocks, hands-on work that can take place in the private sector, not-for-profit, government or many other settings. Quest states that the purpose of Experiential Learning is to show students how their interests manifest in the world and help them gain direct experience.[29] Students also take three or more Electives.

The Block Plan

Quest operates on the Block Plan, where students take one course at a time, each for 3.5 weeks. The academic year is divided into two terms. Fall Term usually runs from September to mid-December, and Spring Term typically runs from January to the end of April. There are four Blocks per term, and full-time students take eight Blocks per year.[30]

Quest claims that the Block Plan allows scheduling flexibility: students can decide which Blocks are spent on courses and which are spent traveling, working, or exploring other pursuits. The school also notes that Block scheduling permits faculty to run Field Studies, off-campus learning experiences that can run for several weeks. Field Studies at Quest have included Marine Zoology, a course that includes a weeklong stay at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island; Classics in the Aegean, where students explore ancient sites in Turkey and Greece; Volcanology, which takes place in Hawaii; Quest for Antarctica, which takes students to Antarctica and where the class lives on a boat; and Art and Architecture in Paris, where students spend 14 days in France. Many Field Studies involve fees, which range from nominal to significant.[31] Quest also offers Study Abroad. Students can spend one or two academic terms at a selection of partner universities around the world.[32][33]

The Keystone

To graduate, students must complete a Keystone project, the culmination of their studies. A Keystone can take various forms: a scientific paper, video documentary, art installation, photography exhibit, work of fiction, or research paper. Students present their Keystones to their peers, faculty and community. A few outstanding Keystones are granted Distinction, and some are chosen as Showcases that the students present to a wide audience in a formal setting. The presentation of Keystones is an important time on the Quest campus, and takes place the days before graduation.

Rankings and Reputation

The Block Plan is generally considered a rigorous learning format. Quest alumni have gone on to various graduate programs, including professional programs such as law and medicine. In the 2009 and 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Quest University Canada was ranked highest among Canadian universities on five key criteria: academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, supportive campus environment, active and collaborative learning, and enriching educational experience.[34] [35] The university has continued to appear at or near the top of NSSE rankings.[36][37]

Quest is not included in Macleans University Rankings because its enrollment is below 1000 students. However, it has at times been featured in Macleans as a university of note. It has also been discussed in The Globe and Mail's University Report.[38]

Leadership

Dr. George Iwama is the current president of Quest University Canada.[39] The Chancellor is Peter Webster, the chairman of the R. Howard Webster Foundation.[40] The Quest Board of Governors currently consists of eight members, headed by Board Chair Mary Jo Larson, a noted attorney who has been named a top lawyer in Michigan.[41] In 2018, Anna Lipman became the first alum elected to the Board. Dr. Doug Munroe, Social Sciences Faculty, is the university's interim Chief Academic Officer.

Campus

The campus is known for its spectacular natural setting. It is built on a pedestrian-friendly 60-acre (24.3 ha) site on a hilltop in Squamish, BC. It includes an academic building, a library building, a services building, a RecPlex, and a dining hall. The campus includes ecofriendly features such as geo-thermal heating and cooling. There are currently five main student residences built in different styles, from dorm-style singles with shared bathroom and communal kitchen, to condo-style living with several bedrooms with kitchen and laundry.[42] In 2018, construction began on new residence buildings, with expected completion for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Finances

Because Quest is private, it receives no government funding at any level, and depends on tuition and private donations. Full-time tuition for the 2019-2020 academic year is CA$35,000. Room and board can add another CA$15,000, depending on the student's selections.

Eligible students can receive financial aid, including scholarships that range from CA$2000 to full tuition; bursaries; and a Work-Study program on campus. Quest also offers substantial scholarships through its LEAP program (see below). Quest is an approved post-secondary institution to administer government student loans from all provinces in Canada plus the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. Quest is also an approved post-secondary institution to administer certain programs out of the U.S.[43]

Leaders in Elite Athletics & Performance Program (LEAP)

Quest's Leaders in Elite Athletics & Performance program (LEAP) is structured to accommodate the needs of elite athletes and performers who wish to pursue a postsecondary education. LEAP students are afforded extra flexibility in housing, billing, and course scheduling. They may take more years to graduate, and are eligible for LEAP scholarships.[44]

Notable LEAP students and alumni include:

Other Notable People

Staff and Faculty

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/john-f-gray/quest-university-education-squamish_b_2893170.html
  2. ^ https://www.macleans.ca/culture/the-students-quest/
  3. ^ https://questu.ca/about/
  4. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/
  5. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/build-your-degree/
  6. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/the-block-plan/
  7. ^ https://questu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Academic-Calendar_2018-2019-Aug-30-1.pdf
  8. ^ "Approvals and Consents". Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  9. ^ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/post-secondary-education/institution-resources-administration/education-quality-assurance
  10. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) ‘‘Sea to Sky University Act'‘
  11. ^ "David Strangway". davidstrangway.com. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  12. ^ a b "Tributes to David Strangway • Quest University Canada". Quest University Canada. 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference GLOBED was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/sea-to-sky-becomes-quest/article18250295/
  15. ^ "Noble Quest: The new university that wants to change everything", Macleans's, 13 November 2008, archived from the original on July 26, 2011, retrieved 16 May 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b c "From Intellectual leader to CEO". Pulse. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  17. ^ "New university has rough year", Vancouver Sun, 21 October 2008, archived from the original on 11 November 2010, retrieved 16 May 2011 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ http://www.squamishchief.com/helfand-now-full-time-president-at-quest-1.1105219/
  19. ^ https://www.universityaffairs.ca/news/news-article/david-helfand-reflects-back-on-a-decade-at-the-head-of-quest-university/
  20. ^ "QUEST UNIVERSITY CANADA NAMES DR. PETER ENGLERT AS PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR". Questu.ca. Quest University Canada. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Thuncher, Jennifer (May 20, 2015). "Quest U announces new president". Glacier Community Media. The Squamish Chief. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  22. ^ Chief, The. "Quest University president departs". Squamish Chief. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  23. ^ http://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/george-iwama-is-quest-university-s-new-president-1.22168481
  24. ^ https://questu.ca/candidate-evaluation-committee-bog-statement/
  25. ^ "Quest's New Chancellor Named • Quest University Canada". Quest University Canada. 2017-09-15. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  26. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/
  27. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/build-your-degree/
  28. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/faculty/doug-munroe/
  29. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/learning-beyond-the-classroom/experiential-learning/
  30. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/catalogue-calendar-and-policies/
  31. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/learning-beyond-the-classroom/field-studies/
  32. ^ https://questu.ca/academics/learning-beyond-the-classroom/study-abroad/
  33. ^ https://questu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Academic-Calendar_2018-2019-Aug-30-1.pdf
  34. ^ https://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/quest-dominates-university-rankings-1.1106812
  35. ^ https://www.macleans.ca/work/jobs/the-students-quest-2/
  36. ^ https://www.macleans.ca/education/unirankings/national-survey-of-student-engagement-a-truer-measure-of-quality/
  37. ^ https://questu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/NSSE_2017.pdf
  38. ^ https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/university-profiles-to-help-you-choose/article21187051/
  39. ^ https://questu.ca/about/leadership/office-of-the-president/
  40. ^ https://questu.ca/about/leadership/the-board/
  41. ^ https://www.wnj.com/Professionals/Attorneys/Mary-Jo-Larson
  42. ^ https://questu.ca/student-life/campus-life/housing/
  43. ^ https://questu.ca/admissions/afford/external-funding/
  44. ^ https://www.squamishchief.com/sports/local-sports/squamish-based-athletes-take-a-leap-of-faith-1.23436344

49°44′24.64″N 123°6′29.75″W / 49.7401778°N 123.1082639°W / 49.7401778; -123.1082639

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