Get to know Richelle Monaghan, dean of the Faculty of Science at Laurier

Aug. 12, 2026

Richelle Monaghan’s path to becoming dean of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Science is as unique and individual as the cell lines she’s studied in her lab.

A former massage therapist and retail entrepreneur, Monaghan is a lifelong learner who brings a distinct blend of experience, curiosity and people-first leadership to the role. Her 14-year Laurier career includes a prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowship and being named a Laurier Teaching Fellow, among many other accolades. Monaghan has built a career defined by excellence in teaching, research innovation and a passion for helping others succeed.

Monaghan began her five-year appointment as dean on Jan. 1, 2026. As a new academic year approaches, Monaghan shares her leadership vision, reflects on her professional journey and discusses what excites her most about the future of Laurier’s Faculty of Science.

What inspired you to pursue the role of dean?

My career at Laurier has involved increasing responsibilities — from teaching to department chair of Health Studies at the Brantford campus and then vice-dean of Science. Leadership has always interested me, which is why I pursued a doctoral degree in educational leadership and higher education, and I’m a firm believer in being open to new things. Applying to the role felt like a great next step given my experiences, interests and passion for supporting people.

How has the transition from educator to leader been?

It’s been a fantastic experience so far. I’m proud to be part of the Faculty of Science community — we're collaborative, hardworking and centred on shared goals. As an educator, I focused on supporting students, and I’ve brought that same service-oriented approach to my role as dean. I have a great support system around me in the Faculty of Science and am learning to lean on them more.

What do you hope to accomplish during your five-year term?

Incredible things are happening in the Faculty of Science — cutting-edge research, excellence in teaching and exceptional opportunities for students. Our faculty members are addressing complex challenges in areas such as brain health and function, the impacts of climate change in Canada’s North and quantum computing, to name a few.

There are also exciting things happening in our classrooms that I think our audiences, internally and externally, would be interested in — students using drone imagery and Google Earth to map climate impacts on vegetation and water, investigating ageism across social media platforms, and hands-on opportunities for students to engage with human anatomy through the Faculty of Science partnership with the Human Anatomy Lab at the University of Guelph.

As the largest academic faculty at Laurier, I want to increase visibility for all that our faculty, staff and students are doing. Additionally, Science has recently hired several full-time faculty and staff across our eight departments. Welcoming our new colleagues to the Laurier science community and fostering a strong, inclusive culture across our various disciplines is also important to me.

How have your personal and professional experiences shaped your leadership approach?

My academic and career paths have been anything but linear. I’ve had a variety of career experiences. I was a massage therapist specializing in pain management for 15 years and had a retail shop in Elora that sold bee-related products. I returned to academia after having a family and completed my first PhD in 2011. I’ve always been open to trying new things, and I encourage my students and colleagues to do so as well. It’s never too late to try something new or go in a different direction, especially for today’s graduates who will likely change careers multiple times. It’s also important to keep learning and be adaptable; the skills acquired today can translate into roles that may not yet exist.

What inspired your interest in bees?

Beekeeping is one of the many hobbies I’ve had in my life, and I cared for hives at a friend’s Christmas tree farm. I had a small stand at the St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market where I sold honey and other bee-related products. My stand really took off, so I opened a small retail shop in Elora called Let It Bee, which was also focused on bee-related products — candles, housewares and award-winning honey. I still had my massage practice at that time and needed different oils for clients with skin sensitivities. That led me to the Burt’s Bees product line — the baby oil, specifically — long before the brand was well known. I stocked Burt’s Bees products in my store and became their top independent retailer in Canada. When I came to Laurier in 2012, I brought my love for bees along and helped inspire the founding of the campus apiaries.

Outside of being dean and an educator, what lights you up?

I enjoy music, art, canoeing and learning Spanish. I was a competitive bagpiper for 25 years, and my husband, a professional musician when we met, continues to perform as a hobby. We’ve both opened for the band Great Big Sea on separate occasions, which was really cool.

I also love the intersection of science and art in the history of human anatomy and medicine. This includes studying the artistic methods and styles of anatomical wax models, examining rare materials — I’ve seen the very first X-ray — and having my hands on the first and second editions of Andreas Vesalius' De Humani Corporis Fabrica (The Fabric of the Human Body), a foundational book for the study of anatomy. I also enjoy creating anatomical art and practicing Spanish conversational skills when travelling.

Laurier prides itself on “Inspiring lives of leadership and purpose.” Who inspires you most?

My son, Jonah, and my husband, Mike. Jonah's curiosity, kindness and willingness to embrace new experiences continually impress me. After he graduated from Laurier, he completed an education degree in New Zealand and has been teaching in Nelson House, Manitoba, ever since. He has also taken up beekeeping and shares his interest with his community. Mike has taught me the value of generosity and giving people the benefit of the doubt, which is something I haven’t always done in life. Their influence has shaped how I approach leadership, teaching and relationships with others.

What does Laurier mean to you?

Laurier has always felt like home to me. My family has strong connections to the university, and I deeply value the people and culture here. What I enjoy most about my role is working with students, faculty and staff who are committed to finding solutions and moving forward together. As the Faculty of Science continues to grow, I’m excited about building connections and shaping our future as a community.