Dr. Riki Gottlieb will be stepping down from her full-time faculty appointment as Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs as of Friday, January 28, 2022. She will be transitioning to a part-time appointment as an Adjunct Professor, serving in the role of Dean’s Advisor on Admissions.
Dr. Gottlieb joined UBC Dentistry in 2018, and since then has been an invaluable TeamSmile member. As Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, Dr. Gottlieb has had a great impact on admissions and student services through the implementation of a number of novel initiatives and critical services to support our students and their wellbeing. Dr. Gottlieb had oversight of all student-related activities and programs, starting with recruitment of prospective students, continuing with student selection, and leading up to ongoing support of current students. In 2020, Dr. Gottlieb formed Dentistry’s Indigenous Working Group and in the past year and a half it has made significant impacts on the Faculty of Dentistry’s Indigenous student recruitment and support efforts. In 2021, Dr. Gottlieb responded to students’ acute need for additional wellbeing support, and introduced a new embedded counsellor position at FOD. Dr. Gottlieb has served as a key member of the Faculty’s leadership team, she co-led the “People” group of the new strategic plan, and she also served as a member of the COVID-19 Rapid Response Leadership Team. Since 2019, Dr. Gottlieb has been serving on ADEA’s AADSAS working group and was elected secretary in 2021. During her tenure at FOD, she has also served on multiple on- and off-campus committees and task forces related to student support, teaching, and clinical care. Dr. Gottlieb became a Fellow of the American College of Dentists in 2021– recognizing her as a leader in dentistry, healthcare, ethics, and academics.
When asked to reflect on her time in the associate dean role, Dr. Gottlieb said: “My passion for working in higher education stems from a strong motivation to help students reach their personal and professional goals in a safe and healthy manner. I am grateful to have had the privilege to support and mentor so many outstanding individuals in my role as associate dean. It is rewarding to know I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life.”
Thank you, Dr. Gottlieb for your numerous contributions and dedication to the Faculty and our learners. Wishing you all the best in your transition to a part-time Adjunct Professor! We are confident you will continue to impact our academic programs through diverse, holistic admission processes.