Media Advisory
May 27, 2010

Mary Coyle announces her departure from the Coady International Institute

Coady Institute’s longest serving director plans to step down, take time out for family

Read the announcement about Mary's departure from University President Dr. Sean Riley

ANTIGONISH, NS - Mary Coyle, the Director of the Coady International Institute and StFX University Vice President, has announced that she will be stepping down from the position at the end of July.

Ms. Coyle is the longest serving director in the 50 year history of the Coady International Institute. She has served in the position for 13 years, overseeing the Coady Institute’s continued advancements in leadership education, international partnerships, research, youth programs and a move to a world-class new facility on StFX campus.

“I have made a decision to take some time out for family, study and consideration of the next stage of my career,” said Ms. Coyle.

Ms. Coyle says the Coady Institute’s recent success has brought her to the best possible moment to step away.

“An incredibly generous and informed group of local, national and international supporters joined us to build a beautiful and functional new home on campus, extend our programming reach and establish a stronger financial base,” said Coyle.

“I feel confident in our people, our strong institutional foundation and the high impact strategies that are in place,” she added. “This expanded Coady ‘community’ believes in the value and impact of our work and will be an important part of the successes to come under the next Director and Vice President.”

Ms. Coyle will continue to play a role at the Coady Institute in an advisory capacity during the period of transition.

Dr. Sean Riley, StFX President, issued a statement congratulating Mary Coyle on her success and the completion of her tenure.

“Mary Coyle has left an indelible mark on the history of the Coady International Institute. She, together with the entire Coady staff, has expanded the work of the Institute and positioned it even more strongly as Canada’s center for education of development professionals and innovation in development practice,” said Dr. Riley.

Dr. Riley says Ms. Coyle’s decision not to extend her contract comes at a time when there is every reason to be confident that recent achievements will continue to bear fruit into the future.
 
Mr. Gordon Cunningham, currently the Coady Institute’s Assistant Director, will serve as Interim Director. A national and international search for a new director will be launched in the near future.