The University Secretariat is responsible for supporting the effective and efficient operation of our shared governance system. The Secretariat supports the Board of Governors and the Senate. It is also the home of university legal services, academic integrity administration, access to information and privacy, policy development and records management.
The Secretariat is led by the University Secretary & General Counsel. The primary accountabilities of the Secretariat team are:
Claire Milton, K.C., ICD.DUniversity Secretary and General Counselclaire.milton@smu.ca
Claire Milton, KC, serves as the first University Secretary and General Counsel at Saint Mary’s University, since 2018. She is an advisory member of the executive leadership team. She leads the University Secretariat, which provides administrative and advisory services for the Board of Governors and the Senate, legal services, support for academic integrity, privacy and access to information matters.
Admitted to the bar in 1991, Claire has been a trusted advisor to many organizations and individuals over a varied career. Beginning with a private corporate-commercial law practice at one of Atlantic Canada’s largest law firms, Claire has served as General Counsel and Secretary to a large publicly traded food company, conducted an independent governance consulting practice, lead a corporate trust services institution, and now provides governance and legal leadership within higher education. She has happily returned to her alma mater, Saint Mary’s University, from where she graduated with an Honours B.A. in English and French before earning an LL.B. from Dalhousie University. Claire was awarded the King’s Counsel designation in 2010 and earned the ICD.D credential from the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2008. She also was recognized by peers for her corporate governance expertise with a Best Lawyer® distinction in 2015 and 2017.
Claire is a director of the Canadian University Governance Association, and has previously served on the governing boards of several organizations, including Mount Saint Vincent University, United Way Halifax, Canadian Lawyers Insurance Association, Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation, Dressage Committee of Equestrian Canada, and CoastArts Association (umbrella to Two Planks and a Passion Theatre Company and the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts). She served on the Nova Scotia Barristers Society Finance Committee and chaired the Securities subsection of the Canadian Bar Association-Nova Scotia Branch.
Alyssa Fleming Administrative AssistantRecording Secretary, Board of Governorsalyssa.fleming@smu.ca board@smu.ca
Alyssa is the administrative assistant in the Secretariat Office and serves as Recording Secretary for the Board and all Board Committees. Alyssa manages recordkeeping for the office of the University Secretariat and General Counsel.
Shannon MorrisonAssistant University Secretaryshannon.morrison@smu.casenate@smu.ca
Shannon is the Secretary to Senate and her primary responsibilities are to support the Senate and all Senate Committees in carrying out their responsibilities for educational policy and academic governance.
Dorcas Seun-SalamiAcademic Integrity Administratordorcas.seunsalami@smu.ca
Dorcas supports the Academic Integrity Committee and the Academic Integrity Appeals Committee, providing administrative support for all activities carried out pursuant to Academic Regulations 18 and 33.