Steven Lam, Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of the Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies, has announced his pending departure.

Steven, who joined Emily Carr University in 2018, will soon return to the United States to take a position with the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) as Dean of the School of Art. He will also hold the institute’s Jill and Peter Kraus Distinguished Chair in Art.

Having recently welcomed a new child into his family, Steven notes the move to the Golden State represents something of a homecoming for him and his partner, both of whom were born and raised stateside. Steven also earned his MFA in Art from the University of California, Irvine.

“While this new chapter is exciting for so many reasons, leaving the Emily Carr community comes with no small measure of heartache,” Steven says. “That said, I know I leave the university in good hands, and look forward to remaining in touch with my colleagues, with whom I’ve built so many strong relationships these past four years. I’m incredibly proud of the work we have done and remain inspired by the ambition and work of ECU’s faculty, researchers and graduate students. ”

Trish Kelly, Vice-President Academic and Provost at ECU, said she was saddened by Steven’s news, but excited about the opportunities it would open up for him and his family.

“Obviously, Steven will be deeply missed by the ECU community,” Trish says. “But his move to CalArts represents an extraordinary opportunity for him both personally and professionally, and I’m thrilled he’ll continue to contribute to the project of arts education, for which he has such keen instincts and transformative vision. I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Emily Carr when I wish him the very best on this next phase of his career.”

Justin Langlois, who has been serving as Acting Associate VP of Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies during Steven’s current parental leave, will continue to fill the role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed through a formal search process. The university community offers its warmest wishes to Steven, and congratulates him on his continued success.