By Lesley-Jane Eales-Reynolds
This is the first of a regular feature and you are probably wondering who I am.
I am responsible for making sure Kingston does the best it can for you. As part of the Vice Chancellor’s office, I am also someone who can ensure your voice is heard by those who can do something about it.
I was the first in my family to go to University, so I have struggled with feeling like I don’t belong, but I realised there was lots of help on hand and look what happened to me. This column will give you tips and advice about how you can get help and help yourself to achieve your aims.
Since joining Kingston in 2012, we have given you a stronger voice. We have listened and installed fast WiFi across all campuses enabling much more flexible ways of learning and teaching.
We have started to refurbish a number of buildings and lecture theatres, with more to come. We have now got 3,000 new computers and other devices in our libraries.
Our courses have changed, giving you a chance to learn how to do well in assessment. Fewer exams and less bunching of coursework.
We are building on our links with employers, keeping courses relevant and real, increasing opportunities for you to develop skills that employers want.
Last year, we launched the Kingston Award to recognise the extra-curricular learning you do such as volunteering, sports and student leadership.
We’ve already given bronze, silver and gold awards at graduation. It looks good on your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) too.
So we have listened and we have responded but we want to hear more. Drop me an email with your ideas (l.eales-reynolds@kingston.ac.uk), or stop me and say hello. If you want to know more, why not visit the blog or you can follow me on Twitter @PVCEdK.
Lesley-Jane Eales-Reynolds is the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and provides information and advice for students.