Dr. Vicki Squires recognized for global impact with J.W. George Ivany Internationalization Award
This prestigious award recognizes an individual who enhances the University of Saskatchewan’s international visibility, partnerships, and cross-cultural perspectives, and who stimulates a global perspective in students and the broader campus community.
College of Education professor Dr. Vicki Squires (PhD) currently serves as the Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Support, and International Initiatives at the College of Education. Dr. Squires’ research is international in nature and impact. A professor in educational administration, she is a globally-leading researcher of well-being and health promotion in higher education and a key member of national and international networks advancing inclusive, supportive campuses that promote student well-being. Her multiple international grants demonstrate the significant contributions her research has on holistic health promotion and advocacy in global higher education.
“Dr. Squires’ commitment to internationalization extends through all her work as a scholar, teacher, and academic leader,” said College of Education Dean, Dr. Julia Paulson (PhD). “She adopts an ethical, empathetic, and innovative approach to all of her international work, be it supporting international students in the College of Education, developing impactful global research collaborations, or creating strategic directions for our college’s internationalization work.”
Squires’ leadership roles within and beyond the university directly support USask’s international initiatives and vision for a globally significant university (International Blueprint 2025). Notably, she hosted delegations of teachers from Chile and Ukraine, focusing on English as a Global Language of Instruction. Several international agreements have been established and sustained under her leadership and on behalf of the college, including Universidad Católica del Maule (Chile), Kenyatta University (Kenya), University of Teacher Education Lucerne (Switzerland), University of Barcelona (Spain), and the University of Waikato (New Zealand).
In March 2024, the College of Education hosted a delegation of elementary and high school teachers from Ukraine for the “Saskatchewan-Ternopil English Language Education and Teacher Training Project.” Dr. Squires is the Canadian lead on this collaborative global project with Ternopil National Pedagogical University (TNPU) professor and international co-lead, Dr. Olena Huzar (PhD). This joint Saskatchewan-Ternopil global project aims to build capacity of English language teaching in Ukrainian schools, expand Ukrainian teachers' current knowledge of language teaching methodologies, and improve Ternopil teachers' English language skills through an immersion experience in Saskatoon.
“It was Dr. Squires' vision, advocacy, and dedication to international support for Ukraine that secured our first seed grant to kick-start this incredible program that allowed ten delegates to visit USask,” said Huzar. “It is evident that Dr. Squires has the expertise and experience leading meaningful international initiatives grounded in global learning, mentorship and teaching of internationalization activities, global student learning and understanding, and international capacity building.”
The impact of Squires’ internationalization commitments extends to the culture of graduate teaching and research in the College of Education as a whole. The college’s graduate student community is the second largest on the USask campus and includes over 100 international graduate students. She consistently champions their needs and works to improve student experience in her leadership role. Squires is currently supervising two international master's and two international doctoral students and has served or is serving on 19 international graduate student committees.
Additionally, Dr. Squires developed a specialization in Leadership in Post-secondary Education within the Master of Education program in the Department of Educational Administration. The three core courses address internationalization concepts, student needs, and strategic enrollment management.
This August, Squires will travel to New Zealand with students from USask for the study abroad course: New Zealand Educational Administration 892. Her exemplary leadership and dedication to internationalization continue to inspire and advance the university's mission on a global scale.
USask faculty and staff award recipients were recognized at a reception held on June 18, 2024.