- Maureen McLaughlin has been appointed as Aston University’s Chief Student Officer
- Chief Student Officer provides leadership across the entire student experience lifecycle at Aston University
- As key member of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic portfolio, the Chief Student Officer will lead the transformation of student services to best in class.
Aston University has appointed Maureen McLaughlin as its first Chief Student Officer.
In this newly created role, Maureen will join the University senior leadership group to provide strategic leadership for the transformation of student services to best in class as part of the Aston 2030 Strategy.
Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, the Chief Student Officer will oversee the entire student lifecycle at Aston University, including significant student-facing services from enrolment to graduation and will play a key leadership role in developing contemporary customer-centric services, based on a digital-first and ‘one-stop shop’ approach for students.
Maureen has worked in the further education and higher education sector since 1989 and has held senior administrative leadership positions in seven UK universities.
She joins Aston University from the University of Northumbria where she has held the role of Academic Registrar and Director of Student, Library and Academic Services since September 2021.
Prior to that she was Director of Education Policy and Quality at the University of Warwick, where she led the management and coordination of quality assurance, enhancement, policy development and academic governance across the university, ensuring these activities underpinned an outstanding learning experience for students.
Other previous roles included Head of Universities and Standards and Head of Engagement at The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Maureen studied English Language & Literature and later a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at Manchester University, followed by an MBA in Higher Education Management at the Institute of Education (UCL).
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:
“I am delighted that Maureen is joining Aston University as our first Chief Student Officer.
“Our 2030 Strategy articulates our promise to students, based on unique experiential learning experiences, attainment of intercultural, digital, entrepreneurial and environmental literacies through Aston Power Skills, sector leading employability, care and support via the Aston Integrated Health Hub and Student Support Hub.
“The Chief Student Officer is a newly created role dedicated to providing strategic leadership towards this promise, ensuring that an outstanding student experience and seamless student journey across the entire lifecycle at Aston sits at the heart of everything the University offers.”
“Maureen brings with her a wealth of experience of the higher education sector and a proven track record of delivering the highest quality in student experience.”
Speaking of her appointment, Maureen McLaughlin said:
“I am honoured to be joining Aston University as the first holder of this exciting role. Aston is a fantastic university, offering transformational experiences for its students with a hugely positive impact on the region.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the university’s talented students and staff, and particularly with Professor Khan and his team, in helping to realise Aston’s vision for a seamless and unparalleled student experience.”
Maureen will take up her position in August 2024.
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming the Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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