New Executive Committee for Academic Senate, 2026-2028
14th October 2026
The Academic Senate has elected its executive leadership for the 2026 – 2028 term, whose experience spans decades of academic leadership, student success, research, institutional development and service to the University.
Dr. Dion D. D. Hepburn, M.A.R., CHSP, AALAS, has been elected Chair of the Senate. An Associate Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Hepburn is a career scientist, academic and published author, with an extensive background in teaching, research and academic administration. His previous service as Chair of the School of Chemistry, Environmental and Life Sciences, Director of Research and Head of the Department of Chemistry has given him a broad understanding of the University and its academic community. He is a UB alumnus, and has remained committed to knowledge-sharing.
Dr. Gladys V. Sawyer, MSW, serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate. With more than 26 years in higher education, Dr. Sawyer has a strong understanding of the student experience and a longstanding commitment to student success and well-being. Her work as an educator and counsellor, along with her research into compassion fatigue, burnout and mental health following Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19, reflects an appreciation of the factors that impact student matriculation, persistence to graduation, and overall success.
Mr. William Fielding continues as Secretary. A researcher in the Office of Institutional Strengthening and Accreditation, Mr. Fielding brings a substantive body of scholarship on social issues affecting The Bahamas. His research on migration, violence, the prison system, corporal punishment and sexual violence probes issues of national and academic importance. His experience in research, writing and institutional work strongly supports the Senate’s role in documenting and advancing its work.
Dr. Antoinette Pinder-Darling serves as Assistant Secretary. Her teaching across computing, business communication, research, editing and literacy gives her a wide perspective on the academic experience. An Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems in the School of Business, Dr. Pinder-Darling has a background in educational technology, adult education, communication as well as higher education. Her research on technology, workforce education and online learning bring an interdisciplinary perspective to the Senate’s work.
Senator Dr. Edward Bethel, Director of UB Open Learning, and Senator Dr. Jason Styles, Chair of the School of Business, are the new Parliamentarians for the current term.
The Academic Senate plays an important role in the shared governance of the University, with responsibility for the quality and standards of its academic programmes, teaching and learning. It provides academic oversight on matters affecting students, faculty and the University’s wider academic development.
The newly elected executives share a commitment to academic excellence and thoughtful engagement which will positively shape the Senate’s contributions to academic standards and governance.
Dr. Dion Hepburn, Chair
Dr. Gladys Sawyer, Vice Chair
Mr. William Fielding, Secretary
Dr. Antoinette Pinder-Darling, Assist. Secretary
Department of Communications
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