Tim Rahilly, PhD

Dr. Timothy Rahilly is the 10th President and first Vice-Chancellor of Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He provides inclusive and strategic leadership to Mount Royal, working with the campus community and its many community stakeholders to develop and achieve Mount Royal’s strategic goals and contribute to the vibrancy of the City of Calgary.

Dr. Rahilly believes that education is transformative and that Mount Royal plays a critical role in the economy by graduating work-ready students equipped with practical and critical-thinking skills. In addition, the University supports students in becoming engaged, responsible citizens who contribute to their communities. Originally trained as a psychologist, he emphasizes mental and physical well-being as part of that personal growth.

Dr. Rahilly promotes Mount Royal’s exemplary post-secondary undergraduate education by building and sustaining relationships at the local, provincial, national and international levels. He is also the lead ambassador for the University in seeking opportunities and raising funds from private and public sources.

A focus on student-centred learning is the hallmark of his career. Having worked in higher education for more than 25 years, Dr. Rahilly has served in both academic and administrative roles. Most recently he served as Vice-Provost, Students & International at Simon Fraser University and held an academic position in the Faculty of Education. He has also held positions at the University of British Columbia and McGill University. He has served on many non-profit boards, including the Canadian University Survey Consortium, Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (President) and the Katimavik Foundation.

Dr. Rahilly was named one of 20 Compelling Calgarians by the Calgary Herald (January 2020) and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (September 2022). He has won numerous awards for teaching and leadership.  He is enthusiastic, open and inquisitive — traits he brings to his work on behalf of Mount Royal and its students.

He holds a PhD in Educational and Counselling Psychology from McGill University, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Counselling from McGill University and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Education) from Concordia University.