The University of Windsor’s New
President and Vice-Chancellor
Looks Forward to Sharing Windsor’s Story
Story by Matthew St. Amand
Photography Courtesy University of Windsor
One thing becomes clear moments into a conversation with the University of Windsor’s new President and Vice-Chancellor: Dr. John-Justin (J.J.) McMurtry has his priorities straight, he has been in Windsor a month and is already a fan of our pizza and buys his produce at Fred’s.
President J.J. McMurtry comes to the University of Windsor at a fortuitous time.
“Universities in Ontario are facing financial challenges, which are the result of many forces, usually outside of the university itself,” he explains. “The challenge is articulating beyond Windsor-Essex, to the federal and provincial governments, what a special institution we have here.”
Media portrays academia as being removed from ordinary life, that university professors and administrators exist on a rarified plane separate from the demands of daily life. McMurtry proves this to be false.
“I grew up in Guelph,” he says. “I was into sports. My father played in the CFL at one time, and so I was interested in everything other than football! I was also fascinated with history and travel.”
Following a brief career as a professional football player, McMurtry’s father pursued a doctorate in Philosophy in London, England, where McMurtry was born. He came to Canada when he was three years old when his family returned.
“It is fair to say that we were an academic family,” he says. “For me, I never really saw the academy as my career, ironically enough. I thought I should be involved in business. I was interested in law for a while, but ended up working with non-profits, unions, in the private sector, and arts groups, but I kept coming back to the academy.”
He continues: “I always saw it as a place where you could discover new ways of thinking. It’s a space where you could have civil disagreement around any issue, pursuing that with a mind toward the best argumentation, a view of the truth, also making sure you were an active citizen and society was benefiting from your knowledge.”
During his undergraduate years at the University of Guelph, McMurtry embarked on a months-long backpacking adventure that took him through Mexico, Guatemala, to the UK, and traveling through India for almost four months. Then it was on to Holland and Ireland. He always returned to his studies, but took time later to travel to England, Scotland, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Seeing the world helps us see the world differently.
With this background of travel, of working in various sectors of the economy,
McMurtry brings a unique vision to the University of Windsor.
“The question is how do we articulate the value of the institution?” he says. “The answer is that we are working in a myriad of ways to create the university of the future for our students and for our community.”
McMurtry also believes much is to be gained by simply meeting with people and connecting with students. He participated in the University’s Welcome Week activities to engage with the newest cohort of Lancers. He has visited mayors from around the region, in Windsor, Chatham, Leamington, and looks forward to meeting leaders in other municipalities and the political representatives in Toronto and Ottawa in the next few weeks.
“It’s an opportunity to work with the community,” he says and describes his enjoyment walking through his new neighbourhood, speaking with neighbours, doing his shopping in local shops. “I enjoy connecting with people. It’s all about building an overall community understanding and engaging with community stake holders.”
Coming to the University of Windsor is a good fit for McMurtry because he appreciates being at an institution in a smaller city, which plays a significant role in the region.
“It goes back to my upbringing,” he says, “my time at the University of Guelph. This is an attractive opportunity, working at a more human scale. The impact of what we do at the university is more significant in the community with which we engage. This region really interested me because of its location. Highway 401 doesn’t stop at London! Windsor has always struck me as a unique part of Ontario: from its automotive industry, its high tech, food, culture, to its engagement with the US. This is a really exciting opportunity.”
As with most things in life “the world is too much with us”—earlier this year, the university faced a projected tuition shortfall in the tens of millions of dollars. The stark reality of funding is never far away. Competition among post-secondary school institutions for students and dollars has never been more fierce. McMurtry believes the University of Windsor has much to offer and can compete in this challenging environment.
The university recently earned its highest ranking to date—546th overall—in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, an annual global assessment of higher education institutions.
“One of the things that strikes me coming from the outside,” Dr. McMurtry says, “is the incredible research that is happening at the university. People need to know about our excellent students, faculty and staff that support our professional schools, like Engineering, Law and the incredible Business school we have. And then there is the Nursing and medical school piece. We have such a range of areas of excellence, in the Arts and Humanities as well, and innovation in all areas of the institution. For example, the amazing research we’re doing at the Great Lakes Institute. We are a world class institution in student experience, research and opportunity.”
At this point in our conversation, McMurtry excuses himself to step outside and retrieve a ball that some neighbour kids have hit into his backyard. “I can’t see where you’re at, but here it comes!” he calls as he tosses the ball back to the kids, keeping their game going.
This pause in the interview encapsulates McMurtry’s arrival in Windsor: the right person at the right time, willing to help, to keep things moving in the right direction.
Published in the Anniversary 2025 Edition.
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