Student Experience now part of PVC (Education) role
Friday, 28 February 2020
Professors Elizabeth McCrum and Julian Park will take up the responsibility for Student Experience in their role as the Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Education), from 1 March 2020. This follows a discussion at the University Executive Board (UEB) around delivering excellent education and experience to our students during their time at the University.
As Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Education and Student Experience), Elizabeth and Julian will work closely with Reading University Students Union (RUSU) to ensure that the feedback from our students helps shape the campus experience of all our students.
Vice-Chancellor Robert Van de Noort said, "I am grateful to Elizabeth and Julian for taking up this responsibility. Both of them have worked closely with students for a number of years and know our University well. They will provide senior leadership support and direction to developing all aspects of campus experience - including our education, social, welfare and support provision."
The Student Experience remit was originally advertised as part of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International & Student Experience) role. Robert said, "Following the recruitment process last year, my UEB colleagues and I felt that Student Experience fits better with the Education portfolio. Our students' experience of the University goes beyond the excellent education we deliver, and this change will help us coordinate all aspects of this experience.
"This will also help the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) to focus on increasing the University's global engagement - specifically the recruitment of international students and strengthening our international profile and reputation in priority countries. I still expect them to play a role in defining our student experience provision for international students."
Professors Elizabeth McCrum and Julian Park started their job-share as Pro-Vice-Chancellors earlier this year. The additional responsibility of student experience means they are now committed 0.8FTE to their role.
They said, "We are delighted to take on the responsibility for student experience at the University. This fits well with our existing Education portfolio and will help us focus our work on delivering academic excellence as well as an outstanding student experience."
The process to recruit a full-time Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) will announced shortly. This role will be advertised internally and externally.
In other changes to the Leadership Group from 1 March, Louise Hague will take up her new role as an interim Teaching & Learning Dean and Simon Mortimer will take up his role as the Head of School of Agriculture, Policy and Development.