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He later relocated to the University of California, Santa Barbara where he worked as a professor in the field of ecology and evolutionary biology, and served as director of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.

McCauley returned to the U of C in 2011, where he has served in his current role of vice-president ever since.

“The task of a university president in modern day is a challenge,” he said. But the biggest issue facing the U of C is living up to high expectations, according to McCauley.

“Right now, I think the community expects a lot of us in terms of having an impact and we have to hold ourselves accountable,” he said. “If we looked at the new academic and research plan that we’ve developed, impact on student experience are central values, our core values for those plans and we have to deliver for Calgary, for the province and for the country.”

The university began searching for Cannon’s replacement in March, following the announcement of her impending departure. Jill Wyatt, chair of U of C’s board of governors and its presidential search committee, described it as a “long process” and “truly a global search,” noting the committee reached out to nearly 400 applicants and interviewed candidates from seven countries.

But it turned out the best candidate for the job was already working at the school.

“He is a man of principle, he’s a man of character and he is a man who is so loyal to the idea of the post-secondary system and the importance of higher education for the development of our society,” Wyatt said. “After eight and a half years of great accomplishment, it’s so exciting to be able to bring another fantastic person, who will become his own person in the presidency. The role takes everything you have to give to it.”