1st Term: September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2024

2nd Term: September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2028

Dr. Sheila Embleton is a nationally respected academic leader and scholar with extensive experience in university governance, administration, and public service. She was appointed Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Algoma University on July 1, 2025, following a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in Canadian higher education.

A Professor Emerita of Linguistics at York University, Dr. Embleton previously served as Vice-President Academic and Provost, and was named a Distinguished Research Professor in recognition of her scholarly excellence. She holds a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Toronto and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, where she currently serves as President of the Academy of the Arts and Humanities.

Dr. Embleton brings a principled, collaborative leadership style shaped by her strong commitment to academic excellence, collegial governance, academic freedom, and equity. Most recently, she served as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor at Laurentian University, where she played a key role in restoring operational stability and rebuilding trust and governance across the institution.

Throughout her career, Dr. Embleton has been a strong advocate for internationalization, gender equity, and Indigenous engagement in higher education. She has served on numerous national and international academic boards and advisory councils and is widely recognized for her inclusive and strategic approach to leadership.

At Algoma University, Dr. Embleton is focused on sustaining momentum in core areas such as academic quality, student success, cross-cultural learning, Truth and Reconciliation, and on maintaining fiscal responsibility in these challenging times. She works closely with the Board of Governors, Senate, executive leadership, and community partners to advance the University’s Special Mission and support its growing presence across Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, and Timmins.

1st Term: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025

2nd Term: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2028

1st Term: September 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025

2nd Term: Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2028

1st Term: December 2, 2021 – December 1, 2024

2nd Term: January 28, 2025 – January 27, 2028

1st Term: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

1st Term: October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027

First Term: Jul 14, 2025 – Jun 30, 2028

1st Term: January 27, 2025 – June 30, 2027

1st Term: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

1st Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
2nd Term: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026

1st Term: February 17, 2025 – June 30, 2027

[email protected] 
705-949-2301

Teaching Interests:

Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to teach a variety of undergraduate courses. I particularly enjoy teaching introductory to psychology, sensation and perception, cognition, human neuropsychology, and statistics. No, that was not a typo…I really do like teaching statistics!

Research Interests:

In general, I am interested in motor control. More specifically, I want to understand how sensorimotor feedback is used during motor planning and execution. My research has largely focused on the importance of auditory feedback during singing. To this extent, I have examined how individuals with differing levels of expertise rely on what they hear to control their voice fundamental frequency (pitch). I am also interested in other areas of perception and comparative cognition

Recent Publications:

• Keough, D., Hawco, C., & Jones, J. A. (2013). Auditory-motor adaptation to frequency-altered feedback occurs even when participants ‘ignore’ feedback. BMC Neuroscience, 14, doi:10.1186/1471-2202-14-25.
• Keough, D., & Jones, J. A. (2011). Contextual cuing contributes to the independent modification of multiple internal models for vocal control. Journal of Neurophysiology, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00291.2010.
• Keough, D., & Jones, J. A. (2009). The sensitivity of auditory-motor representations to subtle changes in auditory feedback while singing. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 126, 837-46.
• Hawco, C., Jones, J. A., Ferretti, T., & Keough, D. (2009). ERP correlates of online monitoring of auditory feedback during vocalization. Psychophysiology, 46, 1-10.
• Jones, J. A., & Keough, D. (2008). Acoustic-vocal mapping for pitch control in singers and nonsingers. Experimental Brain Research, 190, 279-287.

I’m your go-to person if:

• You are currently studying or have recently graduated from a Canadian college
• If you have applied as a mature student
• If you are a Canadian citizen and have applied directly
• Interested in our Sault Ste Marie Campus

Let’s hangout! 

Email: [email protected]

Book a one-on-one meeting: by email

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• Why Algoma? The reason I chose Algoma University was because it allowed me the experience of living in Northern Ontario, along with the amazing lifestyle being in the north affords. Also I chose Algoma U because the lower cost of living at home allowed me to take full advantage of Algoma University’s international exchange programme, an experience that greatly enriched my undergraduate experience.
• Favourite student question: “What is the best thing that Algoma did for you after graduating?” My time at Algoma has been a constant gift; I’ve gone back and worked in the country I did my exchange, travelled to the Florida Everglades and the most remote forests in the Pocono’s to do research in my field- thanks to my contacts and experience with my Algoma U family- and now I have the best job of all, getting paid to do what I already do: talk all about Algoma University!
• Why visit Algoma? It always seems obvious to me: because of the hiking, camping, swimming, skiing etc. you can do while you’re in beautiful Sault Ste. Marie of course! The campus is touching the Queen street bike lane on the south and the beautiful hub trail to the North, the perfect excuse for a cruise after your tour.