Dr. Ian MacLeod has over 40 years’ experience in educational leadership, change management and the use of an appreciative inquiry approach to truly understand the culture of organizations and the impact of change upon them. His research includes internationalization of community colleges, the impact of change on organizational culture and how to best include all stakeholders in change to have the most effective result for all.

Ian’s educational background includes a Doctorate (EdD) in Educational Leadership from Western University, a Master of Education in Adult Education and Training from Colorado State University, an Applied Information Technology Diploma from the Information Technology Institute, and B.Ed. and B.Sc. degrees from Saint Mary’s University. Ian is a graduate of the Canadian Armed Forces Command and Staff College (CLFCSC) and the Militia Command and Staff Course (MCSC).

Ian has almost 20 years’ experience at the community college level, as a faculty member, academic chair and dean with extensive experience in industry relations, organizational change and student success. As well, he has held a variety of faculty, consultant, leadership, and management roles in the private and public educational fields and in health care education over the past 40 years. He is currently a member of the board of Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) which represents the digital economy in Nova Scotia.

Dr. MacLeod is a proponent of a positive approach to leadership and change, finding that Appreciative Inquiry (AI) combined with leadership approaches that are inclusive and focussed on engaging people at all levels of an organization to be the most effective in affecting change. He believes that project-based and problem-based learning, competency-based learning and assessment, and alternative educational methodologies and delivery methods, including online and other distance methodologies, give educators the best opportunity to meet students where they are and provide them with their best opportunity for success. 

Ian had a long and respected career in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, having held various staff and command positions from the platoon to brigade levels including commandant of the Atlantic Reserve Training Center (ARTC) at Camp Aldershot for three years, Chief Instructor at the Atlantic Area Battle School at CFB Gagetown and Commanding Officer of 33 (Halifax) Service Battalion. Lieutenant-Colonel Macleod holds the Queen’s Commission, the Canada 125 Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) with clasp. He retired after 28 years of service as a Lieutenant-Colonel.

Publications

MacLeod, I. H. (2020). The Internationalization of the Student Body at Oceans College, Canada – An Appreciative Inquiry and Shared Leadership Approach to Change. The Organizational Improvement Plan at Western University, 182. Retrieved from https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/oip/182

Presentations

“The 4Cs of Change” Roundtable Discussion – Association of Leadership Educators (ALE) Annual Conference, 2021

“And the Oscar Goes To – A Day in the Life of an Acting Dean” – National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), 2011

“Learning is a Team Sport” – Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE), 2009 (with Carolyn Campbell)