Gohar Ashoughian’s term as university librarian extended for one year

Oct. 28, 2021

We are pleased to announce that Gohar Ashoughian will continue in her role as university librarian until June 30, 2023. This is a one-year extension to her second term.

Ashoughian joined Laurier in August 2012 after holding a number of library leadership positions, including university librarian at the University of Northern British Columbia; associate university librarian, collection services and assessment, at the University of Regina; and manager of library, learning commons and information technology at University of Guelph-Humber.

“Gohar quickly became a valued member of our university community and we are happy to see her remain in this role for another year,” said Tony Vannelli, provost and vice-president: academic. “Her commitment to excellence and desire to place student needs first is apparent in the various projects she’s taken on to date.”

During her tenure as university librarian at Laurier, Ashoughian led the development of the Library Strategic Plan 2020 and the Library Master Space Planning processes in 2014 and in 2020, as well as the library's organizational changes. The Library Strategic Plan 2020, which outlined the vision for a Library, Learning and Culture Commons (LLCC), positioned the LLCC as "the place where the university community comes together to access and interact with information and people, generate new ideas, and engage with the great questions of our time."

Ashoughian oversaw the integration of the Wilfrid Laurier University Press and the Robert Langen Art Gallery into the Library's organizational structure and established active and vibrant art and cultural programming and connections with the university community and beyond. She led the Laurier Library through the COVID-19 pandemic with a strong commitment to service and wellbeing of the Laurier community, and with creativity to overcome barriers imposed by the situation. Ashoughian has also been active externally, as a member of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, serving as Chair of the TriUniversity Group of Libraries (TUG) Executive Committee and a member of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) Executive Committee as OCUL’s treasurer.