‘Real privilege’ to lead division
A FORMER University of Otago student is taking over as director of its student services.
Claire Gallop will lead the team that supports students in their everyday lives, and as they plan for their futures beyond the university.
Ms Gallop said it would be a ‘‘real privilege’’ to lead a division that offered career advice and promoted health, recreation and disabilityrelated study support.
‘‘I think you learn best when your life is in order,’’ she said.
‘‘Student services spends every day and night helping young people achieve that.’’
She saw her new role as an opportunity to create a caring and positive student experience, Ms Gallop said.
She studied politics and history at the University of Auckland, arriving at the University of Otago in 1998 to embark on a PhD in politics.
Since then, she has worked as manager of the Graduate Research School, academic manager of the School of Dentistry and, most recently, manager of research infrastructure in the health sciences division.
Some of the teams making up student services are Campus Watch, Student Health and the Maori and Pacific Island Centres.
Ms Gallop will begin her new role on June 1.