Office of the President
Dr. Steven Murphy joined Ontario Tech University as its fourth President and Vice‐Chancellor on March 1, 2018 and was reappointed for a second term beginning July 1, 2023. He envisions the university as an active space to reinvent learning while championing diversity in all its forms. He believes experiential and co‐operative learning opportunities are fundamental training for successful careers.
Dr. Murphy is renowned for his organizational and human behaviour expertise across business and industry. Even more notably, his dedication to equity, diversity and inclusiveness underscores every facet of how he lives his life. Beyond the lens of race and gender, he believes firmly in the diversity of thought and ideas that underpin civil society.
Dr. Murphy’s vision for positive change influenced Ontario Tech’s Strategic Research Plan, supported the creation of the Integrated Academic Research Plan, the establishment of the President’s Equity Taskforce, and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation. Dr. Murphy also rapidly guided the university’s evolution toward a distinct and bold new identity, a process that included renaming the university, and refreshing the brand and accompanying university and spirit logos.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Human Resource Management, a Master of Management Studies (with Distinction) in the Management of Technology, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Toronto, and his Doctorate in Management, Organizational Behaviour from Carleton University.
Dr. Murphy champions the notion of tech with a conscience – imbedding technology with strong human values for the betterment of society and the planet. He is an ardent supporter of ethically driven, artificial intelligence and its transformative power on higher education.
Dr. Murphy currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lakeridge Health, the Board of Directors of the National Research Council of Canada; as Past Chair of eCampus Ontario; as Chair of Ontario University Athletics; as a Director of U Sports; and as a member of the Universities Canada Education Committee.
