The Yukon University Board of Governors is pleased to announce Dr. Mike DeGagné as president and vice chancellor of Yukon University, Canada's first university north of 60.
DeGagné will begin a five-year term on July 1, 2020. He will be the eighth president of Yukon's only post-secondary institution, succeeding Dr. Karen Barnes, who has served two terms since 2011 and will retire June 30.
Dr. DeGagné comes to YukonU from Nipissing University, in North Bay, Ontario. He was appointed Nipissing president and vice chancellor in 2013, as one of the first Indigenous presidents of a Canadian public university.
While president of Nipissing, DeGagné dedicated much of his life to Indigenous issues and ensuring Nipissing University took a leading role in the Indigenization of the post-secondary education sector.
He is a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario as well as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. Most recently, he was inducted into the Nipissing District Human Rights Hall of Fame, awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Dalhousie University and an Indspire award for Public Service.
Yukon College became Yukon University in February when the Yukon University Act came into force. Yukon University will officially launch in May 2020.


Recount confirms Liberal candidate victory in Yukon Vuntut Gwitchin district
2025 Territorial general election official results certified
Whithorse City council to vote on 2025 food for fines program proposal
Whitehorse RCMP identify remains of sudden death investigation
Whitehorse RCMP charge woman in hand cyclist collision
Taku River Tlingit First Nation engages with Canagold Resources on proposed mine project
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Kluane John VanderMeer
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party candidate for Klondike Richard Nagano
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party double feature! YP candidate for Vuntut Gwitchin Sandra Charlie and YP Candidate for Southern Lakes Tyler Porter
Attempted abduction reported in Whitehorse
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Vuntut Gwitchin Annie Blake
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Liberal Party candidate for Southern Lakes Cynthia James
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Liberal Party candidate for Mayo-Tatchun Jeremy Harper
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Mountainview Linda Moen
The 2025 Territorial General Election at a glance
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Watson Lake-Faro-Ross River Josie O'Brien
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon NDP candidate for Whistle Bend South Dustin McKenzie-Hubbard
2025 Territorial Election Interview Series: Yukon Party candidate for Mayo-Tatchun Cory Bellmore
Fatal fire at remote Yukon mine camp claims two lives