Wade MacLauchlan has had a lasting impact on post-secondary education and economic development in his province and region. As president of the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), he has been instrumental in expanding the university and in promoting social and economic advancement by developing links between academia and the community. Under his leadership, UPEI has secured investments for innovative projects, including the establishment of the National Research Council's Institute for Nutrition and Health. A renowned legal scholar, he has transferred his skills to bettering the broader community through his involvement with institutions such as the Public Policy Forum, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.