Dr. Ingrid Mattson, a member of the IIIT Advisory Council, has joined Huron University College, a part of the University of Western Ontario, as the inaugural London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at its Faculty of Theology. Dr. Mattson begins her appointment on July 1, 2012, according to a press release by the College.

The London and Windsor Community Chair is supported by the IIIT Fund for Islamic Studies established by IIIT at Huron University College, and community donations.

"Dr. Mattson brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise to this area of study and Huron is privileged to have a scholar of her caliber," said Dr. Stephen McClatchie, Principal of Huron University College. "We are honored that, with her pick of many positions around the world, Dr. Mattson has decided to return to Canada and accept our appointment to the London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies."

Before accepting this appointment, Dr. Mattson was Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford Connecticut. In that position, she was instrumental in helping develop the Seminary’s Graduate Certificate for Imams and Muslim Community Leadership in collaboration with The Fairfax Institute at IIIT. She has served as President of ISNA, as well as an Advisor to both the Bush and Obama Administrations.

"It is an honor to be back in Canada and to accept this position at such a prestigious institution as Huron University College," said Dr. Mattson, who is originally from Canada. "Huron has a remarkable history of critical inquiry and I look forward to building on this tradition by offering Huron students the opportunity to learn about a faith that more than 20 per cent of the world's population practices, in an open and liberal environment," she added, according to the College press release.

This is the first Chair in Islamic Studies at a faculty of theology in Canada. Dr. Mattson's appointment thus represents a historic initiative by Huron University College.