Vice Chancellor’s Festive Message

The University of Northampton’s Vice Chancellor, Anne-Marie Kilday, would like to share the following festive message:

As Christmas Day approaches and the year 2022 draws to a close, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all our, students, staff, stakeholders and members of our local community.

I have been leading the University of Northampton as Vice Chancellor for five months now and am proud to continue discovering the many things we get right here.

I’ve spoken with students and staff one-to-one, engaged with your Students’ Union and networks across the University, as well as stakeholders and our local community.

It is easy to see the passion and enthusiasm you all have at the University of Northampton and, as we enter this fresh, New Year, I look forward to working closely with you all to make UON a place which represents you. A place you are proud to call your university.

Within just the last five months, we have celebrated the 25th anniversary of mental health provision at the University of Northampton – the first UK university to introduce a dedicated service for students in 1997. Thanks to Counselling and Mental Health Team Leader, Jo Lester and her team for continuing to work hard and provide the very best service.

We have shared the joyous autumn graduation ceremonies with our alumni and their families, celebrating their hard work and determination to succeed and launch into their future careers. I look forward to congratulating our future graduates as they cross the stage in the coming years.

In the past two weeks, I was even honoured to welcome Professor Jason Arday from the University of Glasgow onto campus to give a talk to students and staff exploring race equality and disability and to speak at the Festive Concert held in the Learning Hub. I certainly have that festive feeling now – I hope you do too!

I do also understand this has been a troubling and uncertain end to the year for all of us, with the rising cost of living and ongoing effects of coronavirus.

As we look to the year ahead, I extend my promise to tackle your concerns head on and lead the way in supporting you all as we navigate the uncertainties ahead of us.

I will continue listening to you and I want to keep hearing from you. This much is clear – we are a University who is passionate about our students and the aspiration to deliver the very best education possible.

My door is always open to listen to you. If you see me on campus, please feel free to stop and say hi – I’m your Vice Chancellor, and I represent your voice. Please let me hear it!

However you choose to spend this festive period, I hope you have a peaceful and restful one. I encourage you all to reach for that extra mince pie or Quality Street – you have all earned it.

A big thank you also goes to our hard-working staff who will be on site supporting our students who will be staying with us on campus over the festive season.

Thank you for all of your ongoing support and I look forward to working with you throughout 2023.

Season’s greetings to you all. I wish you the happiest of New Years.