Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu
- PhD in History, Queen's University
- MA in History, Lakehead University
- HBA (English and History), Lakehead University
- BEd, Lakehead University
- Certificate in Museum Studies, Ontario Museum Association
Select Professional Development:
- Certificate of Completion in Leading Organizations & Change, MIT Sloan School of Management (Executive Education)
- Certificate of Completion in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DEI Strategies for Business Impact, University of Cambridge, Judge Business School (Executive Education)
- Diploma of Completion, EDEN Digital Education Learning Academy (DELA), EDEN Digital Learning Europe
- Certificate of Completion in Essentials in Transfer and Student Mobility, The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer
- Academic Leadership for Chairs, Centre for Higher Education Research and Development, University of Manitoba
Other Current Appointments:
- Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and Professor of History, University of Northern British Columbia
- Docent of Social Science History, University of Helsinki
- Docent of Modern North American History, University of Oulu
- Associate, Wilson Institute for Canadian History, McMaster University
- Previous Positions
Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu is the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) where he provides leadership in advancing UNBC’s academic mission and oversees comprehensive strategic planning, development and implementation of academic matters, and, above all, ensures that the needs of students, faculty and staff are met.
Prior to his appointment as Provost at UNBC, Dr. Beaulieu held numerous positions at Lakehead University between 2007 and 2025, most recently serving as Lakehead University’s Associate Vice-Provost (Academic) between 2019 and 2025 and was a full Professor of History. He also held numerous leadership roles at Lakehead, including Chair of the Department of History, Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Programs in Northern Studies, and Director of two research centres. He served extensively on university governance bodies.
An internationally recognized scholar, Beaulieu is also a Professor in the Department of History at UNBC and holds academic appointments at the University of Oulu and University of Helsinki, Finland. His research and publications generally focus on various aspects of the economic, political, and social history of Northern Ontario. His work has been recognized with several awards, including Lakehead University’s Distinguished Research Award (the highest honour conferred by Lakehead for research and scholarly activity).
Deeply committed to collaboration and community engagement, Dr. Beaulieu’s experience includes regional and nationally not-for-profit board leadership and governance, with a strong track record of guiding organizations through strategic decision-making, fostering organizational and fiscal accountability, and ensuring effective community engagement and collaboration. This has included driving strategic planning and organizational change to enhance performance, adaptability, and long-term success. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario, a past-president of the Ontario Historical Society, past-president of The Champlain Society, and past-president of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society. A proud alumnus, he is also a past president of the Alumni Association of Lakehead University and a past member of Lakehead University’s Board of Governors.
Dr. Beaulieu is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS), Honorary Colonel of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, and a registered Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP). His academic and community contributions have been recognized by numerous awards including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Cruikshank Gold Medal, and the City of Thunder Bay’s Spirit of Thunder Bay Award.