Appointment of Acting Vice-Chancellor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Professor Jennifer Windsor will take up the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington from 5 March 2022.

Jennifer Windsor and Sarah Leggott
Professor Jennifer Windsor and Professor Sarah Leggott

Professor Windsor is currently Toi Aropai / Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Wellington Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences and Education.

She has agreed to act as Vice-Chancellor when the incumbent, Professor Grant Guilford, retires from the University on 4 March and will hold the position until a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed.

Te Herenga Waka Chancellor Neil Paviour-Smith says the University is fortunate to have someone of the calibre of Professor Windsor to step into the Vice-Chancellor role.

“Professor Windsor is a very experienced leader who knows the University well. She has built strong, inclusive relationships across the University, with Council members and with external partners, and she is positive and optimistic about the University’s future.

“The Council is grateful and appreciative that Professor Windsor is willing to take on the responsibility of leading the University in the interim to enable the Council to focus its attention on the recruitment of a new Vice-Chancellor.”

Professor Windsor joined the University in 2015. She has led both the Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Wellington Faculty of Education through a period of significant achievement and success and played a central role in a number of key strategic initiatives within the University.

Professor Windsor says she is looking forward to taking on the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

“It’s always been a privilege to be part of our University community, alongside highly dedicated and talented academic and professional colleagues and fabulous students. I am very pleased to take on this leadership role until a new Vice-Chancellor is in place.”

Mr Paviour-Smith also confirmed that Professor Sarah Leggott has been appointed Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Wellington Faculty of Education for the same period that Professor Windsor will be Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Sarah has been Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences—Te Wāhanga Aronui since 2019, having previously been Deputy Dean and Head of the School of Languages and Cultures.

International recruitment for a new Vice-Chancellor for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington will begin in the New Year.