Laurier re-appoints Sofie Lachapelle as dean of Faculty of Arts

April 17, 2026

Wilfrid Laurier University has renewed the appointment of Sofie Lachapelle as dean of the Faculty of Arts for a second five-year term, beginning July 1, 2026.

Since joining Laurier as dean in July 2021, Lachapelle has contributed to the creation of several new admissions pathways in the Faculty of Arts, including co-operative education programs, a new bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies, and collaborations with the University of Sussex and Cardiff University in the United Kingdom and Griffith University in Australia. She has served on the university Senate and numerous committees and chaired the Dean’s Advisory Council and Divisional Council for the Faculty of Arts. Throughout 2025, she collaborated with the associate dean external to lead celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Arts.

“Dr. Lachapelle has provided strong, collaborative leadership as dean – championing new academic pathways and partnerships and taking a strategic approach to recruitment, curriculum development and enrolment management,” says Heidi Northwood, Laurier’s provost and vice-president: academic. “She has also showcased faculty research and advanced community engagement, alumni relations and fundraising through a year-long celebration of the Faculty’s 100th anniversary.”

Lachapelle holds a PhD in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Notre Dame, Ind., a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from the Université de Montréal, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Germany. She came to Laurier from the University of Guelph, where she served as chair of the department of History, acting associate dean and interim dean of the College of Arts, as well as acting associate vice-president academic for the university. The author of two books, Lachapelle’s research focuses on the relationship of science with culture, entertainment, and religion in modern France.

“These past five years have been such an amazing and rewarding experience for me,” says Lachapelle. “I am thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to continue to work and represent the Faculty of Arts at Laurier for the next five years.”