Veteran politician Olivia Chow has a new title to add to her name: university professor.
Ryerson announced Monday that the former member of parliament and Toronto city councillor has been appointed to a three-year term as a “distinguished visiting professor.”
Chow, who left federal politics last year for an ultimately unsuccessful Toronto mayoral run, is joining the school’s faculty of arts. According to a statement, Chow will initiate a program devoted to community engagement and democratic participation.
Chow will also be involved in a number of the school’s social justice programs and initiatives, including the Jack Layton Chair, established in honour of her late husband’s legacy.
Layton taught for 10 years at Ryerson before going on to serve on Toronto city council, and eventually, becoming leader of the federal NDP party. After Layton’s death from cancer in 2011, Chow donated a collection of Layton’s books and artifacts to Ryerson.
A key part of Chow’s role, the university said, will be student mentorship.
In a statement, Chow said she’s excited to be joining a “city-building university” like Ryerson.
“The opportunity to work with creative, dedicated, urban-oriented young people on the important challenge facing our next generation, our city and our society, is both humbling and thrilling,” Chow said.
Mohamed Lachemi, Ryerson’s provost and vice-president of academic, welcomed Chow to the community.
“Olivia is well respected for her ability to forge alliances, build consensus and connect with community – all of which will benefit the students and faculty at Ryerson,” Lachemi said.
Chow was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1991, where she served five terms. In 2006, Chow made the jump to federal politics after being elected MP for the riding of Trinity-Spadina.
She resigned her seat in parliament last year to run for mayor of Toronto, but lost to John Tory.
