Steven McDonald Cardwell
Consultant, Leader, and Supporter in both Parker Island and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Steve has just retired after serving five years as Vice President, Students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) - Student Affairs, Registrarial Services and International. He was previously Director of Educational Leadership and Professor of Teaching at UBC. He began teaching in Kitimat and, in 2015, concluded his K-12 experience serving for five years as Superintendent and CEO with the Vancouver School Board and previously Superintendent with the Delta School District.
Steve holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from SFU with a focus on student engagement. He has a BSc and Master of Arts from UBC.
Steve recently completed a six year term finishing as Past President on the Board for Learning Forward. He is a former President of the BC School Superintendents' Association (BCSSA) and has served on several other Councils including: BCCIE, and the UBC/BCIT Technology Teacher Education Advisory Committee. Steve contributed for many years on the Science World Board and then the Symbiosis steering committee. He was an active participant on the BC Technology Education Careers Council (TECC). He has served two terms on the BCCAT and served as Vice Chair on the executive of the Senior Academic Administrators’ Forum (SAAF). He recently completed two terms as a member of the Editorial Board and the EdCan Network Council.
Steve is proud to have served as President of his local teachers’ union and was also a member of the BCTF provincial bargaining committee.
Steve was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013 for his outstanding service to public education. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the BCSSA and was selected as one of UBC Faculty of Education’s top 100 Alumni. The KPU Foundation recently recognized Steve by creating a bursary in his name to support students who have met challenges due to systemic racism or other socio-economic factors, including Indigenous students, students of colour, and former youth in care.
Steve has two children who attended the public system throughout their schooling. His wife, Maryann is a former high school counsellor and lead district educator for alternate programs.
Steve is known for his valuing of ethical leadership and responsibility, building and fostering strong working relationships, leading with empathy and demonstrating exemplary communication skills.