ÎÞÂ붯»­

University appoints inaugural Chief Student Officer

Posted 6 August 2025

ÎÞÂ붯»­ has announced the appointment of its inaugural Chief Student Officer.

Dr Emily Mcintosh, who will take up her post in December, is an acknowledged higher education leader with more than 18 years of experience in leading strategic change in learning, teaching and student experience, curriculum development, and the student journey.

ÎÞÂ붯»­ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ken Sloan said: “I am thrilled that Emily is joining us as our inaugural Chief Student Officer. Following a competitive selection process, Emily demonstrated an unequivocal commitment to enhancing the student experience, strong partnership working with the Student’s Union as well as collegiate working with academic, professional, and technical colleagues.”

Dr Mcintosh has served as the Director of Student Success at the University of West Scotland since 2023.   

Her institutional responsibilities have included research-informed education and student success strategies, with a strong emphasis on quality enhancement, wellbeing, inclusion, equality, and diversity at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Prior to this, Emily held significant senior roles at Middlesex University and the University of Manchester.  

She has overseen a portfolio of high-impact, cross-institutional transformative change projects and brings direct experience in leading core HE services teams and service design across learning, teaching and student experience.

Her leadership experience has included oversight of Centres for Academic Practice/Learning & Teaching, Technology Enhanced Learning, Student Success/Support, Academic Registry, and Student Services and Careers.  

Emily is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2017) and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2021.  

Professor Sloan added: “Emily’s commitment to engagement with and listening to students as we shape what we offer them will underpin the approaches that she takes and the outcomes we can achieve.

“Emily’s extensive experience and inclusive leadership approach will make a tangible difference to how we develop in the future. I am excited to see what she achieves with us.”

Speaking about her new role, Dr Mcintosh added:  "I am delighted that I have been appointed to the inaugural post of Chief Student Officer at ÎÞÂ붯»­. 

“I'm very much looking forward to working with students and colleagues at Harper and the Harper SU to provide an exceptional experience for our students"