New senior leadership appointments
Appointments have been announced for two senior leadership roles supporting the University’s strategic ambitions.
Our new Deputy Vice-Chancellors – Professors Jeff Grabill and Neil Morris
Following an open international recruitment process, Professor Neil Morris has been formally appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, having held the role in an interim capacity since last October, while Professor Jeff Grabill will be joining us from Michigan State University (MSU), USA, on 1 August as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education.
Currently Associate Provost for Teaching, Learning and Technology at MSU, as well as Director of the Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology, Professor Grabill will take over the reins from Professor Peter Jimack, who has served as the Interim DVC since last November.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, said: “Neil has already made a huge difference since being in post, and I am thrilled that after a successful recruitment round, he has been formally appointed as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation.
“His experience, insights and vision will help our University to transform itself digitally and to become a global leader in the strategic use of digital technology for education and research – and ultimately to help solve global challenges through high-quality education, research and societal impact at scale.
“I am also delighted that Professor Grabill will be joining us from Michigan State University, where he has built up a strong track record of academic leadership in student education. He has already demonstrated a passionate understanding of the aims of our strategy, particularly our ambition to reduce inequalities and implement a modern and evidence-based curriculum. He is a fantastic addition to the University's senior leadership team, who I know will help us to prepare for some of the complex and critical challenges facing the higher education sector.
“I would also like to thank Peter for all his continued hard work and support as Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education. The past year has been a difficult time for our students and colleagues and Peter’s leadership has been instrumental in supporting our community to ensure our students receive the high-quality education they deserve.”
Delivering global impact
Professor Neil Morris leads on our digital transformation
Professor Morris leads on our digital transformation, supporting the University to achieve its strategy to be a globally leading digital university.
His brief is cross-cutting, and spans digital research, digital education and the digital operations of the University. He leads initiatives to enhance the blended, hybrid and online education and experience of our students, and provide lifelong and professional learning opportunities for learners globally.
Professor Morris heads activities to harness the potential of digital technologies, data and digital approaches to enhance our research activities, outcomes and impacts, and to improve ways of working at the University. He also holds a Chair of Educational Technologies, Innovation and Change.
Professor Morris said: “Leeds has been my academic home for nearly 20 years, and I am deeply honoured to be able to continue to serve our students, staff and our global community through this appointment.
“I am passionate about the benefits that effective use of digital technologies, data and digital approaches can have to enrich our education, research and operations, and I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with colleagues and students across our community to deliver positive, impactful change and support our new University Strategy.”
Professor Morris has extensive experience of developing and delivering strategy and policy in the area of digital education at Leeds, and has led the implementation of a large number of institutional digital education systems and initiatives. He has also led the growth and impact of our award-winning Digital Education Service.
Among the key projects he’s currently engaged with is the creation of a Digital Transformation Strategy, providing an over-arching view of our vision and aspiration in relation to digital transformation of our operational activities, student education, research and innovation and internationalisation.
Extraordinary possibilities
Professor Jeff Grabill will lead on our overall education strategy
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, Professor Grabill will lead on our overall education strategy, ensuring the University attracts, excites and retains high-quality students from a wide range of backgrounds.
The brief includes implementing innovative measures to ensure that students benefit from an outstanding education and excellent all-round experience, widening participation, promoting teaching excellence and innovation, and further boosting the employability of our students.
Professor Grabill said: “My conversation with colleagues at Leeds revealed a number of extraordinary possibilities beyond the fact that this is an exceptional university with a remarkable international reputation.
“The new strategy’s values of collaboration, equity and impact are compelling and key to how we educate. Student education is fundamental to the strategy and the way we will make a positive difference in the world. I’m excited to join an institution so clearly leading in educational transformation.”
In his current roles, Professor Grabill is responsible for helping MSU design and deliver distinctive and equitable learning experiences that lead to student success and help make Michigan State a top destination for students.
He’s also a professor of rhetoric and professional writing. His research focuses on how digital writing is associated with citizenship and learning. He’s also a senior fellow with University Outreach and Engagement and is a co-founder of Drawbridge Incorporated, an educational technology company.
Leadership changes
These latest appointments follow several other recent senior leadership changes, which saw Deputy Vice-Chancellor: International, Professor Hai-Sui Yu, also taking on the broader role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Nick Plant appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation.
Posted in: University newsDigital TransformationStudent education