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Wednesday 2 August 2006

University appoints new Dean for Brackenhurst

Professor Jenny Saint has been named as the new Dean of Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Brackenhurst. The university’s former Associate Dean will continue to build on the school’s national reputation for excellence in animal, equine, horticulture, environmental and countryside management courses.

Professor Saint began lecturing in rural home economics at Brackenhurst College in 1977; as well as teaching full-time students, she was well-known throughout the county through her involvement with adult education.

In 1989 she took on the role of Head of Rural Enterprise at the college and a year later became Director of Studies, part of the college’s senior management team. Throughout the 1990s Professor Saint was responsible for developing further and higher education courses, working closely with Nottingham Trent University as its associate college. She also pursued post-graduate study during this period.

When Brackenhurst College and the university merged in 1999 she became Programmes Manager of the university’s former Department of Land Based Studies, responsible for academic development and quality.

Professor Saint was awarded her Professorship in 2002 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in learning and teaching. She was one of the first members of staff to be promoted under new guidelines which allowed staff to gain professorships on the basis of academic leadership of curricular developments and teaching excellence.

She was appointed Associate Dean in 2004 and has continued to lead on quality assurance and enhancement within the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, and the development of new courses. Her expertise has contributed in a major way to the evolution of academic activities with the School and a transitioning to demand-led, high quality, industry-focused courses.

Her work in relation to the development of successful foundation degrees has been recognised and she has been involved in a number of regional committees as well as involvement nationally with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Professor Saint said: “I am delighted to take on this position and extremely proud to have been working at Brackenhurst for nearly 30 years. My role has changed considerably during my time here and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I relish the challenge of continuing to secure its reputation for success and excellence.”

Professor Saint replaces Professor Dave Butcher as Dean, who has been promoted to the position of Principal at Writtle College, part of the University of Essex.