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College Management Team

Sarah PrescottPhoto 

Principal 

Email: sarah.prescott@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347232

Responsibilities

As Principal of Ustinov College, I am responsible for leading the implementation of the University strategy within the College, leadership of a cohesive and distinctive College based scholarly community and active participation in fundraising, stewardship and the green development of the College premises and facilities.

Background

Sarah started working at Ustinov College in 2008 after spending several years at Newcastle University, first in the Careers Service and then in the Disability Service, where she worked as a Disability Advisor. After being appointed Assistant Senior Tutor at Ustinov College in 2008, she became Vice-Principal in March 2014.

For this academic year (2023/2024) she will take on the role of Principal while Professor Glenn McGregor undertakes a one-year period of research leave.

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Sophie Holland-FrancisVariant 1

Vice Principal (2023/2024)

Email: sophie.holland-francis@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347233

Responsibilities

As Vice Principal of Ustinov College, I am responsible for leading the implementation of the University strategy within the College, leadership of a cohesive and distinctive College based scholarly community and active participation in fundraising, stewardship and the green development of the College premises and facilities.

Background

Prior to joining Ustinov College in August 2023, Sophie worked at Collingwood College as their Student Experience Officer. Sophie has over ten years of experience in education, with five of those years spent in international education. It is her unwavering passion to advocate for student enrichment and the benefits of learning outside of the traditional classroom. She's dedicated to providing a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, arts, and culture, to ensure that every member of the Ustinov community has a fun and enhanced educational journey. 

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Paula Furness 

Assistant Principal Variant 2

Email: paula.furness@durham.ac.uk or ustinov.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347171

Responsibilities

Paula is responsible for the student support, membership, admissions and accommodation in the College. They support College alumni relations and engagement activities and also oversee the College Office Team.

Background

Paula is on a 1-year secondment from University College where she is their Student Support Officer.

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Craig MawsonVariant 1

College Operations Manager

Email: craig.mawson@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347172

Responsibilities 

Craig can be found in the Management Office and am available weekdays, during office hours. I manage everything to do with the financial and operational side of the college, supported by an Operations Team Leader who leads teams that look after the hospitality, services and domestic functions. The café and bar staff, the porters and the housekeepers are all committed to providing the highest quality of service.

Background

Craig joined Ustinov College in November 2022. Upon graduating from Northumbria University in 2015, he entered a Graduate Management Scheme for a major public transport company and worked in operations management for seven years.

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College and Student Support Team

Helen LukeHelen standing in front of stairs

College Administration Co-ordinator

Email: ustinov.college@durham.ac.uk or ustinov.scr@durham.ac.uk or ustinov.gcp@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347242

Responsibilities

Helen is the the first point of contact for all stakeholders including students, staff and departments. I provide secretarial support to the College Management team from taking minutes to managing diaries. I'm also the coordinator for the Global Citizenship Programme (GCP). I provide overall organisation and administration for College/SCR events. I administer all the Scholarship awards within college. I support the welcoming and registering of new students and visiting fellows throughout the academic year.

Background

Helen joined Ustinov in August 2018, but has been at the University since June 2009. Initially, she worked as an MBA Programme Assistant at the Business School. She then joined Stephenson College as their Accommodation Adviser. In 2013, she moved to the Department of Biosciences as their Postgraduate Administrator working with MSc and PhD students.

Prior to joining Durham University, she has held a variety of administrative and retail positions. In June 2007, I graduated with a BSc (hons) from Northumbria University.

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Dom Birch

Assistant Student Support OfficerVariant 6

Email: ustinov.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk 

Tel: 0191 3347235

Responsibilities

Dom Birch is our Assistant Student Support Officer, they are available to discuss any issues you may have, including, mental health, finance, welfare and academic; especially where these issues are impacting on your studies. I would love to see you, even if just for a chat. If you'd like to see me, give me a ring or email.

Background

Dom finished a PhD in History from King’s College, London in 2021, specialising in Early Modern British Social and Legal History. Dom enjoys cooking, reading about obscure Soviet history and listening to hyperpop. As a non-binary person, Dom is happy to talk about LGBTQ+ issues with students.

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Kelly WoodwardVariant 1

Student Support Administrator

Email: ustinov.admissions@durham.ac.uk or ustinov.accommodation@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347241

Responsibilities

Kelly monitors the Ustinov Accommodation and Admissions mailboxes and responds to enquiries in that area; secondly, they support accommodation allocation and contributing to relevant communications and promotions; finally, they assist the Assistant Student Support and Assistant Principal. 

Background

Kelly joined the college office in June 2023.

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Hospitality Team

Trudie BallVariant 1

Food Service Beverage Head

Email: t.a.ball@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 334 5489

Responsibilities

Trudie can be found in the Operations Office and am available on the following weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday 09:30 - 16:00 and Thursday 09:30-15:30). She manages all hospitality requests at Ustinov College, as well as the bar and café on a daily basis. Additionally, she manages Ustinov's catering and service support staff for all social events, such as mentor dinners, formals, and other social events.

Background

Trudie joined Ustinov College in August 2012. Prior to this she worked at Collingwood College as a Food Service Supervisor.

Cafe Staff

Serves refreshments in coffee shop, and also assist with catering at College events.

Email: ustinov.cafe@durham.ac.uk

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Operations Team

Nigel RaceVariant 1

College Operations Team Leader

Email: ustinov.operations@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3347174

Responsibilities

Nigel support the College Operations Manager in the delivery of the College’s Operational strategy, with particular responsibility for the management of operational activities across Sheraton Park and Dryburn Court.

He makes sure that college facilities and services run smoothly and he also oversees the day to day line management of  Housekeeping, Residential Services Assistant and Reception staff. He ensures that a high level service level is maintained and that the Operations Team are focused on delivering a quality student experience.

My usual office hours are 07:00 – 15:00 and I am based in the Operations Office at Neville House.

Background

Nigel joined Ustinov College in May 2023.

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Anna GangiPhoto

Reception Helpdesk Assistant

Email: ustinov.reception@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3345470

Responsibilities

Anna is the first point of contact for reception services and administration of the front-desk, including welcome service, professionally greeting students, staff, visitors and contractors and providing support, assistance, directions and information.

Anna also provide administrative support to the Operations Team to ensure the effective running of the College and its buildings to enhance the student experience.

She is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 - 16:00 and is based at the Reception Desk in Sheraton House, Sheraton Park.

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Julie CooksonPhoto

Housekeeping Team Leader - Sheraton Park

Email: ustinov.housekeeping@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3345540

Responsibilities

Reporting to the College Operations Team Leader, Julie is responsible for overseeing and carrying out the daily servicing of study rooms and communal areas, achieving high levels of efficiency, organisation and communication. In the absence of the College Operations Team Leader, she acts as first point of contact for residents, Housekeeping staff, Porters and College Staff who have any queries regarding housekeeping.

Other accountabilities include supporting the Housekeeping staff in delivering a consistent, high quality cleaning standard; taking an active/hands on approach to daily cleaning tasks; auditing the team performance with a view to make recommendations and implement changes and improvements.

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Gary Scaife

Housekeeping Team Leader - Dryburn Court

Email: dryburn.reception@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3341582/ 07825 523735

Responsibilities

Reporting to the College Operations Team Leader, Gary is responsible for overseeing and carrying out the daily servicing of study rooms and communal areas at Dryburn Court, achieving high levels of efficiency, organisation and communication.

At Dryburn Court he is the first point of contact for residents, Housekeeping staff, Porters, College Staff and contractors.

Other accountabilities include delivering a consistent, high quality cleaning standard; taking an active/hands on approach to daily cleaning tasks; auditing team performance with a view to make recommendations and implement changes and improvements.

The Housekeeping Team Leader at Dryburn Court also has responsibility for running reception, taking deliveries, reporting maintenance issues and liaising directly with Porters, Estates & Buildings and Contractors.

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Housekeeping TeamVariant 1

Email: ustinov.housekeeping@durham.ac.uk

Responsibilities

The Housekeeping Team work hard to clean and service study-bedrooms, offices and common areas of the College for students and commercial visitors.

The team are responsible for cleaning and housekeeping services for both student and guest accommodation and conference meeting rooms. The team ensures that Service Level Agreements are maintained, with particular attention to student and customer comfort and satisfaction.

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Porters

Email: ustinov.porters@durham.ac.uk

Tel: 0191 3345470 or 07824131678

Responsibilities

The duty Porter is the key liaison officer for the College at most times but especially out of office hours and at weekends. The duty Porter ensures the general safety and security of all students, staff and visitors who may be impacted upon by the operations of the College.

College Porters are also required to carry out routine maintenance and safety critical tasks when on duty, either individually or as part of a team.

A Porter is available at Sheraton Park 24 hours per day and can be contacted on 0191 3345470 or 07824131678

A Porter is available at Keenan House from 8 am to 4 pm and can be contacted on 0191 3345170 or 07825523735

Outside of these times you can contact the Porter at Sheraton Park on 0191 3345470 or 07824131678.

 

Get in touch

Find out more about life at Ustinov College.

Ustinov College

Sheraton Park
Durham
DH1 4FL


Tel: +44 (0)191 334 5470