Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is proud to announce the appointment of Jamaica born Donette Chin-Loy Chang as its new Chancellor. A distinguished communications leader, accomplished public affairs strategist, prolific philanthropist, and proud alumna, Chin-Loy Chang will succeed Janice Fukakusa and begin her three-year term on October 10, 2024. She becomes the sixth Chancellor of TMU, marking another significant milestone in her long-standing relationship with the university.

As Chancellor, Chin-Loy Chang will serve as the ceremonial head of TMU, acting as an ambassador for the university on local, national, and international stages. She will preside over all convocations and confer degrees and diplomas, embodying the university’s values and mission.

“Donette has been a valued member of the TMU community for decades. Through her work and support for equity-focused organizations and her commitment to education, she continues to make her mark in improving the lives of those around her,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi.

Chin-Loy Chang’s connection with TMU spans several decades. She has supported hundreds of students by funding scholarships and well-being initiatives. She has established bursaries across various areas of the university, including the DMZ, the Chang School, and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law. During the pandemic, she created an emergency fund for students and contributed to TMU’s Viola Desmond Awards program and the President’s Awards to Champion Equity campaign.

“TMU always challenges the status quo with bold and innovative action, responding to the needs of learners in an ever-changing world. I accept this role with great humility and am proud to be part of an extraordinary community that truly values excellence, equity, and reconciliation,” Chin-Loy Chang said.

Chin-Loy Chang’s professional career spans over four decades. She began as a reporter-producer with CBC Radio, eventually leading the overseas service of Radio Canada International in Toronto. Her work includes writing for prestigious Canadian publications and training journalists in several Caribbean countries and Haiti. As a strategist for the global public relations firm Ruder Finn & Rotman, she provided counsel to the Prime Minister of Jamaica and other high-ranking officials. She later founded Donette Chin-Loy and Associates, a leading communications agency in the Caribbean, and co-founded La Grassa Chin-Loy Communications in Canada with fellow TMU alumna Dr. Lucy La Grassa.

Her dedication to philanthropy is evident in her involvement with numerous influential organizations and causes. She is a former co-chair of Food For The Poor Canada and co-patron of the University of the West Indies annual benefit awards, the largest Canadian fundraiser supporting student scholarships. She has served on TMU’s dean’s advisory board for the Faculty of Community Services, the university’s renaming committee, and is currently a board director for the BlackNorth Initiative and the Toronto International Film Festival.

In an interview with the Caribbean Camera, Chin-Loy Chang shared her deep connection to TMU, stating, “I have been a member of the community, but this is in a way, just making official my involvement. The role of Chancellor is a ceremonial head of the university, so I will be an ambassador locally, nationally, and internationally.”

Chin-Loy Chang expressed her excitement about TMU’s current initiatives, highlighting the Lincoln Alexander Law School, the new medical school in Brampton, and the upcoming student well-being center. She emphasized TMU’s commitment to health equity and well-being, particularly for those facing barriers to access.

Reflecting on her vision for TMU, Chin-Loy Chang stated, “TMU always challenges the status quo with bold and innovative action. I look forward to this role and am proud to be part of an extraordinary community that truly values excellence, equity, and reconciliation.”

As she embarks on her new role, Chin-Loy Chang honors the legacy of her late husband, G. Raymond Chang, TMU’s third Chancellor, while focusing on fulfilling TMU’s vision in the present and future. “I am here to be supportive where I can be, to represent the university, and to speak about the university,” she said.

Chin-Loy Chang holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Journalism from TMU and has received honorary degrees from both TMU and the University of the West Indies. Her appointment marks a significant chapter in TMU’s history, and the university community eagerly anticipates the positive impact she will continue to make.