The Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lincoln, Professor Mary Stuart, has been nominated for the award of higher education’s most inspiring leader of 2018.
Run by The Guardian‘s ‘Higher Education Network’, the award is part of their annual ‘University Awards’ – which aim to celebrate institutions and leaders that have had a positive impact on higher education.
In an email to staff and students this morning, the University said Mary was ‘surprised and delighted for Lincoln to be recognised in this way’.
“She very much feels that this is an accolade which belongs to all of us, staff and students, as much as to her.”
“For Mary, this nomination is not about her but about everyone who has worked so hard to make Lincoln what it is today,” the message read.
The news has also received positive responses from the University of Lincoln’s Students’ Union on Twitter.
Vice President Academic Affairs, Tommy George, commented that he ‘couldn’t agree more’ with the nomination:
Couldn’t agree more 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/w56BtfHZSN
— VP Education (@ulsu_education) March 22, 2018
Meanwhile, VP Activities, Luke Exton, called the Vice Chancellor a ‘credit to our institution’:
A credit to our institution! Well worth your vote! Only takes two seconds 👇👇 https://t.co/u5Kcx4otPK
— ULSU VP Activities (@ULSU_Activities) March 23, 2018
Professor Stuart is on a shortlist of five for the award – which also includes vice-chancellors at universities from Scotland and Brighton.
In a statement on The Guardian’s website, the judges of the awards said: “Mary has managed to turn around the university and has never lost sight of what the university is about, its mission and widening participation.”
“A post-92 institution that gets a gold in the Tef should gain recognition – especially its leader,” the judges said.
Voting for the awards is now open to the public until Friday, 6 April before the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 24 April at an awards ceremony in London.
The full shortlist and details on how to vote can be found on The Guardian’s website.