Dr. Kevin McCormick

He is a Patron of St. John Ambulance – Northeastern Ontario and also devotes much of his time and talent to support organizations at the local, provincial, national and international levels. He has held senior positions within the Canadian Armed Forces, and in 2024 was celebrated for 12 years of service as an Honorary with the Irish Regiment of Canada in Greater Sudbury; a distinguished rank reserved by the Government of Canada for prominent and influential Canadians. As a Senior Honorary 33 CBG, Senior Honorary 4th Division Canadian Army, and due to his experience on the National Council of Honoraries for Canada, Dr. McCormick was recently appointed Honorary Colonel of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders where he continues his service to our country with pride.

He is also an internationally recognized educator who has published extensively in the areas of social justice, higher education pedagogy/ leadership, and international relations.  His career in higher education spans 35 years, and includes:

Huntington University

• recruited in 2006, becoming the youngest person in Canada to lead a university, and the youngest person to ever lead Huntington University (2006)
• established several institutes and centres of excellence at Huntington University including the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health (2024), the Peruvian Canadian Institute (2020), the Canadian Finnish Institute (2015), the Canadian Institute for International Policing (in development since 2011), the Lougheed Teaching and Learning Centre of Excellence (2011)
• magnificently led the university, at the start of its 60^th year in 2020, through a transformative period that included two significant and unprecedented moments in history – a global pandemic followed by a major change to the local post-secondary landscape in Greater Sudbury
• endorsed the development and dispersal of a $25,000 COVID-19 emergency response initiative to assist post-secondary students in need, across the Greater Sudbury community in March 2020 

Georgian College, York University, Atkinson College

• held teaching and administrative positions at York University at both Atkinson College and the Faculty of Arts, holding a Social Science and Humanities Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Refugees and Human Rights
• as the Dean of the Institute of University Partnerships and Advanced Studies at Georgian College in Barrie:
  • he was responsible for university programming at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and the development of initiatives in countries such as India, China, Northern Ireland and the United States
  • developed and launched Ontario’s first-ever applied degree programs in Police Studies and Automotive Management and the first, fully online, Cyberspace Security post-graduate program

Dr. McCormick has authored and/or edited several books including: Common Ground and Shared Values: Bilateral Relations between Canada and Peru | Puntos en común, visión compartida: Relaciones bilaterales entre Perú y Canadá (2026), Droits humains et santé mondiale dans le contexte ouest-africain (working title, forthcoming publication of the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health – 2026), Peru 1821-2021: Reflections on the Bicentennial | Perú 1821-2021: Relexiones sobre el Bicentenario (2022), Lectures and Landscapes: Diversity in Northern Education (2010), Carceral Contexts: Readings in Control Paperback (1994), Understanding Policing (1992), Canadian Penology: Advanced Perspectives and Research (1991).

In addition, Dr. McCormick is a dynamic, sought-after, and inspiring speaker who has presented at national and international conferences, NGOs and institutions of higher learning including at the: Canadian Book Launch – Peru 1821-2021: Reflections on the Bicentennial | Perú 1821-2021: Reflexiones sobre el Bicentenario (2022), Peruvian Book launch – Peru 1821-2021: Reflections on the Bicentennial | Perú 1821-2021: Reflexiones sobre el Bicentenario (2022), Peruvian Canadian Institute International Summit (2021), 13^th International Conference – ASIAN Community Knowledge Networks for the Economy, Society, Culture and Environmental Stability (2017), Canadian launch of Canada-Finland: Celebrating 2017 (2017),  An Evening with Lieutenant-General The Honourable Roméo Dallaire (Ret’d.) (2017), and the Commemorative Event to Honour the 30^th Anniversary of the United Church’s Apology to First Nations People (20216), just to name a few.

As an educator, he has been the recipient of fellowships and academic prizes, including the Mariano Elli Chair Award for Italian - Canadian Studies, and the Award of Excellence from Chiangrai Rajabhat University, Thailand.

International Prominence

Dr. McCormick, has an impressive global reputation with respect to international volunteerism, humanitarianism, education and more, and has been named as the recipient of numerous honours and awards in Canada, Finland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, and Burkina Faso. Over the years, he has also been recognized by numerous governments and human rights agencies, and has worked with international aid agencies such as UNICEF and the UN Refugee Agency. Through his work with the military he has had the distinct privilege, on two separate occasions, of leading trips with members of the 2nd Battalion, to London, England, for engagements with the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales – now His Majesty King Charles III – who at that time served as Colonel-in-Chief of the 2nd Battalion of The Irish Regiment of Canada.

Dr. McCormick is the founder of several projects such as Crown and Canada, the British Military History, UK-Canada Military History, and the Opération Alliance initiatives, as well as Project Honour and Preserve, all of them ventures that he has personally conceived and funded, as well as dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to over the past two decades. While each initiative has its own particular focus, each one ensures the promotion and preservation of historical artifacts, celebrates national identity, as well as the contributions of citizens. In 2016, he received a National Commendation from the Minister of Veterans Affairs for his work on Project Honour and Preserve.

Other noteworthy initiatives, for which he has used his own funds, time, and talent, include projects focused on humanitarian aid and academic support in countries such as Thailand, India, Myanmar and Laos, international educational award programs offering financial support for students and scholars from developing countries, educational funding to support medical students in Burkina Faso as well as special needs students in Peru during the pandemic. His military-focused initiatives include such projects as the Canadian Homeless Veterans’ Network, various bursaries and scholarships for members of the Canadian military and their families, and educational programs for serving and retired members of the CAF as they transition into new careers. Most recently, he launched “The Coronation 2023 Project” as a personal endeavour to plant 2,023 maple trees across Canada to raise national attention for the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and to promote the importance of the Sovereign in Canada’s national identity.

Elite Recognition

As a result of his outstanding personal and professional accomplishments, Dr. McCormick has been named as the recipient of numerous honours and awards including: Chief of Defence Commendation (2024), Knight of the Order of the Stallion, Presidency of Faso Grand Chancellery of Burkinabe Orders (2021), Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, Kingdom of Thailand (2019), National Seniors Council, Governor in Council Appointment Governor General (2019), Bell Business Excellence Award – Executive of the Year (2018), Senate of Canada 150 Award (2017), Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2017), National Commendation – Minister of Veterans Affairs (2016), Palliative Care Leadership Award (2016), International Peace Medal – YMCA (2016), the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship (2014), the Community Builders Award for Excellence (2014), the Queen’s Diamond (2012) and Golden (2002) Jubilee Medals, and Canadian Professor of the Year (1999). Kevin is also an Officer in the Order of St. John (2010). In 2010, Kevin also became one of few Canadians to be named a Member of the Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Thailand, by the King, for his contributions to international education and humanitarianism. He has also been recognized with numerous citations from local governments, charitable groups and professional organizations, volunteering his time and expertise on the board of Commissionaires Canada (Great Lakes Region), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Maison Vale Hospice (Sudbury), Health Sciences North (Sudbury Hospital Board), Sudbury Theatre Centre, Réseau Access Network, along with raising millions of dollars for community based groups and initiatives, including the United Way.