Three new senior appointments

Monday, 19 August 2013

Andrea Cheshire has been appointed to the role of Director of Student, Learning and Teaching Services from 1 October 2013

New Director of Student Learning and Teaching Services announced and two new student-facing appointments created.

Director of Student Learning and Teaching Services - Andrea Cheshire

Andrea Cheshire has been appointed to the role of Director of Student Learning and Teaching Services (SLATS), succeeding Jennifer Ghandhi, from 1 October 2013. Andrea will join the University from the University of the West of England (UWE) where she previously held the role of Director of Corporate and Academic Services/Academic Registrar.

Andrea's career has included ten years in UK Higher Education covering areas such as Planning, Business Intelligence, Performance, Quality Management, Student Records, and Programme/Assessment Administration.

Andrea said upon her appointment: "I look forward to building a trust based working relationship with colleagues across the University to achieve our common ambitions for Reading.

"Students are at the heart of what we do in the service and I hope to work with them in a co-creating way which enables us to provide an outstanding service that is flexible and responsive. Staff are key in delivering our current and future ambitions and I will work hard to ensure that they feel engaged and empowered."

Andrea will join the University on 2 September to meet with members of staff around the University, and SLATS in particular, before formally taking up the position of Director of SLATS from 1 October.

Director of Student Development and Access - Dr Paddy Woodman

Paddy Woodman has been appointed to the role of Director of Student Development and Access from 1 October 2013.

In the new higher education environment, student development, employability and widening participation form key parts of the experience on offer to current and potential students. It is therefore essential that the University continues to develop the existing excellent work taking place across the institution in line with University strategy. This new role will:

• coordinate and enhance the University's student development activities and ensure further opportunities are developed; and
• provide University oversight in respect of the Access Agreement.

Paddy will provide leadership and direction to Academic Schools, Professional Services and Senior Managers on student development and widening participation. Paddy brings a wealth of experience to the new role from her time as Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science - including chairing the University's Sub-Committee on Student Development and Employability for a number of years, and leading the preparation of the University's Access Agreement for 2014-15.

Taught Postgraduate Recruitment Project Leader - Dr Peter Miskell

The University has appointed Peter Miskell to lead the implementation of the outcomes of the University's Post GraduateTaught Recruitment Project, in conjunction with Professor Gavin Brooks (Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)), Professor Dianne Berry (Dean of Postgraduate Research Studies) and Dr Richard Messer (Head of University Administration).

Peter has been seconded to this project from his role as Senior Lecturer in the Henley Business School for a period of two years starting on 1 September 2013, but will continue to conduct research within International Business and Strategy throughout the period of his secondment.

The project will put in place a range of measures to improve recruitment to taught postgraduate programmes at Reading. These will include overseeing the development of new distinctive PGT models, including: opportunities for PGT students to undertake opportunities such as language training, internships and employability and skills enhancement; the development of a suite of part-time flexible programmes appealing to students in work, for example, the implementation of a scheme for promoting wider access to business and management modules for students beyond the Business School to identify priority PGT programmes for collaboration with the Business School; and, helping to establish and support a community of dedicated leadership for PGT at School level supported by an organised programme of training and development.

Professor Gavin Brooks
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Dr Richard Messer
Head of University Administration