Meet the Team

Our dedicated Higher Education team are committed to providing a high-quality student experience and helping you to make the most of your time at UCSD.

There are a broad range of roles in the team covering quality processes, student support, admissions, study skills, disability, wellbeing, employability and more.

You can also find out more about our curriculum teams and their research here.

Dean of Higher Education

Dr Kat Jones

Kat is Dean of Higher Education, Quality, and Academic Registrar at South Devon College. This means she is responsible for the overall higher education teaching, learning and assessment, academic quality, and student experience at UCSD.

Higher Education Admissions and Engagement

Aimee and Lottie are based in the Faculty Office within the Research Centre, on the first floor of the University Centre. They respond to the University’s emails and phone calls, help potential applicants and students with course-related queries, and support student applications with Council Tax, bursary and hardship funding.

Cara is based in the Student Support Hub on the ground floor of the University Centre. Cara can support potential students with their application to study at UCSD and student finance. Once you are studying with us, Cara can help you with any concerns about your course.

Cara Durman Higher Education Admissions, Outreach and Engagement Senior Coordinator
Aimee Taylor Higher Education Quality and Academic Operations Administrator
Lottie Schofield Higher Education Quality and Academic Operations Administrator

Student Support Hub

Dr Issy Hallam

Issy is the Student Development and Tutorial Manager, based on the ground floor of the University Centre in the Student Support Hub.

If you have any queries or concerns about your tutorial or the support you have received in the Hub please speak to her.

Higher Education Academic support

Sam and Mary are the HE Study team, based in the student support hub on the ground floor of the University Centre.

They provide advice and guidance on managing your time, reading effectively, breaking down an assessment brief, critical analysis, academic writing, referencing and finding credible sources, revising and extenuating circumstance guidance.

Sam Hobson
Dr Mary Garland

Higher Education Wellbeing

Sandy and Paula are Higher Education Wellbeing Co-ordinators, based in the Student Support Hub on the ground floor of the University Centre.

Both support mental health and wellbeing needs so that you can reach your potential here at UCSD.

Sandy Akerman
Paula Vass

Higher Education Disability

Mike and Leane are Higher Education Disability officers, based in the Student Support Hub, on the ground floor of the University Centre.

Both offer advice and guidance in accessing external support for disabilities. They can guide and assist you from the initial enquiry, then inform and liaise with external providers on your behalf, and signpost you to additional resources and services where required.

Mike James
Leane Manser

The Higher Education Quality Team

The HE Quality Team work behind the scenes to ensure academic standards are maintained by supporting academic staff and leadership teams to design, deliver and monitor academic programmes and standards.

Charlotte McGowan
Higher Education Quality and Standards Manager
Sarah Kettle-Buchanan
Higher Education Academic
Quality Coordinator
Joel Prowse
Senior Coordinator Assistant Registrar for HE Data Quality
TBC
Higher Education Quality, Compliance, and Student Life Cycle Coordinator