Dr. David Paterson served as Associate Dean (Administration) between 2007 and 2017. He was also an Academic Coordinator for the Counselling Psychology program, Director of Undergraduate Programs, and Director of the Centre for English Language Learning, Teaching, and Research (CELLTR) at SFU.

He has been a school teacher, counsellor, and counsellor educator. His leadership activities in Counselling include service as President and Hon. Life Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), President of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), and Vice President of the International Association of Counsellors (IAC).

Dr. Paterson has been actively involved with strategic enrolment management, faculty governance and new program development. He has been a continuing presence on the Faculty of Education Executive Committee and served as vice-chair of the SFU University Senate.

After retiring from SFU in 2017, David has gone on to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Education at Vancouver Island University.