Paddy Woodman appointed Director of Student Services

Wednesday, 18 April 2018

We are delighted to announce that Dr Paddy Woodman has been appointed as the University’s Director of Student Services. 

Having held the role on an interim basis since 1 August 2017, Paddy was an ideal candidate for the permanent position. As Director, Paddy will lead the Student Services team of over 200 staff spread across Student Success & Engagement, Careers, Student Wellbeing, Teaching and Learning Operations, the SIS and Hall Warden Teams. She will have strategic management responsibility for all Services and operations including our student Support Centres, Exams, Timetabling & room bookings, Graduation, Student Advisory teams (international and financial support), as well as Counselling and Disability within the Student Services function.  Her transition from interim to permanent Director became effective on 1 April 2018. 

Paddy first joined the University in 1996 as a Lecturer in Archaeology and Computing. She went on to become School Director of Teaching and Learning for the Department of Continuing Education, before taking on the positions of Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science and most recently Director of Student Success and Engagement.

Driven by a desire to provide Reading students with everything they need to succeed, Paddy became a University Teaching Fellow in 2010 and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2015. She is also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

On her appointment, Paddy said: 

“It is a challenging but exciting time to work in higher education and I am looking forward to collaborating with many many colleagues across the University in our joint endeavours to provide the support that our diverse students need to succeed in life at university and beyond”.

Professor Gavin Brooks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, said: 

“I am delighted that Paddy has been appointed to the permanent post of Director of Student Services. During the past few months in the interim role, Paddy has demonstrated strong, strategic leadership of Student Services and she has established an excellent working relationship with students and colleagues in academic Schools and Services.”

Please join us in congratulating Paddy in her appointment!