The University recently announced the appointment of its new Vice-Principal Education and Executive Director of Advancement.
Taking up the role of Vice-Principal Education is Professor Ruth Taylor who is currently Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Health, Education and Social Care at Anglia Ruskin University.
Professor Taylor’s career began as a nurse, a role that saw her take up posts in England, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland before joining Robert Gordon University. Ruth moved to Anglia Ruskin University in 2013 as Deputy Dean (Quality and Student Experience) and led the faculty’s significant improvements in quality, NSS, and student retention. As Senior PVC and Dean, Ruth leads a faculty with around 7000 students in campuses across the East of England. She held a University-wide portfolio as PVC for Student Retention, and was responsible for developing and implementing a strategy which led to improvements across the University. She continues to research and publish in areas relating to the student experience and healthcare.
Ruth said: “I am delighted to be joining the University of Aberdeen as Vice-Principal Education. I am looking forward to joining the team and to working with colleagues across the University in this role. It is an exciting time to be joining the University as you are recruiting new staff, achieving positive outcomes at university-level for the NSS, and are doing very positive work in your education provision.”
As Executive Director of Advancement, Rob Donelson will lead staff in the Development Trust into the next fundraising campaign in support of our academic ambitions.
Rob joins us from University College Cork where he is currently Executive Director of Development & Alumni. Rob is an experienced senior development professional who has held executive-level roles in organisations that include universities and healthcare foundations in Canada and latterly Ireland. His university campaign leadership experience comes from eight years at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, and more recently leading strategic change in development and alumni relations at UCC.
Rob said: “I very much look forward to working with the Development Trust team and the entire University community to help advance Aberdeen’s ambitious plans. It is a privilege to be part of such a historic and high quality institution.”
Rob and Ruth will take up their posts in November.