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University’s first female Vice Chancellor graduates amongst former students
Professor Price CBE joined what was Leeds Metropolitan in 2010 as the University’s first ever female Vice Chancellor, with a proven track record of taking organisations through periods of change.
She stepped down from her role in September 2015, after a highly successful tenure leading the University through its name change, amongst a raft of other achievements spanning significant financial and quality improvements. Professor Price was vigilant when it came to strengthening the University’s reputation in learning, teaching and research, with a focus on the student experience.
Professor Price said: “It’s particularly special to be at Leeds Beckett to receive an honorary award from a university that means so much to me.
“I went to university when I was 18 and basically never left, so there must be something about higher education that kept me coming back. I spent my entire career in higher education in different universities in different parts of the country. There’s nothing as special as seeing students reach their full potential and go on to make successful careers, especially when as is true for many students they come from quite challenging, difficult backgrounds often from a family where no one had been to university.”
Giving advice to graduates, Susan added: “It’s down to you, what you achieve in life. It’s important to be motivated, it’s important to actually want to make a difference and it doesn’t matter what you are doing. You can make a difference in any sphere of life. It won’t be easy, it can be challenging – but it is incredibly exciting to be starting out on your career. If you’re working hard and you’re doing your best you will get to where you want to be – it may not be immediate, it rarely is – but you will get to where you want to be.”
Before Leeds Beckett, Professor Price was Acting Vice Chancellor at the University of East London, Director of Academic Affairs in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Bradford, Fellow in International Business at the University of Manchester Business School and Associate Dean at the University of West England. She was also a vigorous proponent of Britain's ‘new’ universities, which include Leeds Beckett.
Professor Price was awarded a CBE in 2016, and will now be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University at 1pm on Wednesday 26 July, for her services to higher education.
Leeds Beckett University Chancellor, Sir Bob Murray CBE, said: “Leeds Beckett University went through considerable transformation under the exceptional leadership and vision of Professor Price. When she took the helm in 2010, it was against a backdrop of extraordinarily difficult times for the higher education sector amid a brutal economic downturn. Crucially, as a result of her leadership, the University emerged vibrant, secure and in a great position to move forward. I’m delighted to have awarded her with this Honorary Doctorate.”
Since retiring in 2015, Professor Price joined the Council of the University of Salford as an independent member and Chair of the Student Experience Committee. Professor Peter Slee was appointed to the role of Vice Chancellor at Leeds Beckett University in September 2015.