Jan O'Driscoll

I joined the University in 2015 to create a new department and new curriculum. This was the Centre for Foundation Studies for all of the institution’s foundation year provision. The focus was to offer pathways for international students and to strengthen our approach to widening participation, particularly for local mature students, commuting students, and 18-21-year olds that may have previously had barriers to learning. Over the years, we have achieved these objectives.

In September 2022, I was asked to take the position of Dean of Lifelong Learning to champion learning as an ongoing process throughout a person’s lifetime. This inevitably included the experience of the returning mature student and the promotion of continuous learning across our student community.

In September 2023, my role was expanded to Dean of Students and Lifelong Learning. This now incorporates leading on the institutional Student Engagement Plan and overseeing our induction and transition activities across our academic year. I am also involved in partnership activity with Chester Students’ Union to ensure our student voice mechanisms are engaging and effective.

I have an academic background in sociology and politics and have taught in universities and colleges. This was followed by management roles alongside a growing interest in local people having access to their local university, particularly for those communities that may not always be represented across a university population.