ManitobaJino Distasio, an urban geography professor at the University of Winnipeg, has been temporarily elevated to the institution’s highest office.Distasio has been at U of W for 25 years, serving as professor and administrator CBC News · Posted: Dec 10, 2025 9:34 AM EST | Last Updated: 10 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Jino Distasio will fill the dual role of president and vice-chancellor of the University of Winnipeg while the board of regents searches for someone to step in permanently. (Warren Kay/CBC)Jino Distasio, an urban geography professor at the University of Winnipeg, has been temporarily elevated to the institution’s highest office.The board of regents has appointed Distasio interim president and vice-chancellor, effective Dec. 12, the university said in a news release Tuesday.Todd Mondor, who had been president and vice-chancellor since April 1, 2022, and whose term was set to run until June 30, 2027, was ousted last month. Distasio will fill the role while the board searches for a permanent replacement, the news release said.”We know that across North America, universities are facing some difficult times,” Distasio said Wednesday. Federal cuts to international student permits have put financial constraints on post-secondary institutions, and his No. 1 job is to keep the books balanced, he said.”I know that there’s been some challenges over the last year,” he said. “My goal is to kind of work forward and see how we can … make sure that the university is a great place.”The university’s board of regents voted unanimously to part ways with Mondor on Nov. 24, after the issue of whether to recommend his reappointment came to a review, chair Michelle Pereira previously told CBC News.”We’re starting a new strategic plan, and I believe that we need to refocus our leadership,” she said then.Distasio said he will do all he can to ensure the university remains “on solid footing” while supporting the transition. He said he expects this will be a 12-month assignment but didn’t rule out applying for the permanent position once the university starts officially requesting candidates.”Maybe I do throw my name in the hat, because I do love this place and I think it’s one of the best mid-sized universities in Canada,” he said.’I’ll always be a professor’In addition to teaching and supervising students for 25 years, Distasio’s administrative commitment to the U of W spans two decades, including more than 10 years as vice-president of research and innovation, the news release said.He also recently served as acting provost and vice-president, academic, and as acting dean of science and kinesiology.The University of Winnipeg parted ways with its most recent president and vice-chancellor, Todd Mondor, last month. (Darren Bernhardt/CBC)Distasio, known for his energy and passion for community engagement, has served on many local and national committees and boards within the community development sector. The University of Winnipeg news release called him a leading voice — both locally and nationally — on a variety of topics, such as urban policy, poverty, transportation and inner-city renewal.”[In] my heart, I’ll always be a professor. I’ll always be here for kids,” Distasio said. “As an administrator, you’ve got to take on a bit of that and also be here for … the broader community.”More information about the search process for a permanent president will be shared in the new year, the release said.With files from Meaghan Ketcheson
Jino Distasio appointed as University of Winnipeg interim president and vice-chancellor
