Secil Ertorer will lead two new master’s programs launching in 2026
The University of Niagara Falls Canada has named a new academic leader to oversee two of the new programs launching in 2026.
Secil Ertorer has been appointed Associate Dean of Health and Psychology, effective Dec. 15. In this new role, she will provide academic leadership for the Master of Arts in Applied Social Psychology and Master of Health Care Management programs.
An experienced academic leader with an extensive background in research and community engagement, Ertorer was most recently a tenured Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Studies at Canisius University in Buffalo, NY.
Her teaching and scholarship reflect deep expertise in identity, social psychology, migration, racism, health, and mental health. She earned her PhD in Sociology, with a specialization diploma in Migration and Ethnic Relations from The University of Western Ontario and has taught widely in areas such as identity and power, social psychology, race and ethnicity, social research methods, and the social determinants of health.
Ertorer has seen her research published in leading international journals and informed by community-based partnerships in both the health and social sectors.
“We are pleased to welcome Professor Ertorer to our university as Associate Dean. Her exceptional record of academic leadership, interdisciplinary research and deep community engagement makes her an ideal leader to guide the growth and success of these two new programs,” said David Gray, President and Vice-Chancellor at UNF. “She brings the expertise and collaborative spirit needed to advance our academic mission and deliver meaningful impact for students and researchers.”
A resident of Niagara Falls, Ertorer has been an active contributor to regional equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives and is deeply committed to supporting communities across the Niagara region.
The Master of Arts in Applied Social Psychology and Master of Health Care Management programs were announced earlier this year, following consent from the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, alongside the launch of the Master of Computer Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence. Hassan Baz Chamas was appointed Associate Dean of that program, in addition to his current role as Associate Dean of the Master of Data Analytics program. All three programs will welcome their first cohort of students in 2026.
