In the third instalment of our profile series, we feature Head of Building Construction, Paul Jeurissen, who enjoys holidaying at Waipu Cove but has also recently cruised the Carribean; Head of Applied Business, Kerry Kirkland, a proud South Islander and dog-lover; and Head of Bridgepoint, Chris King, whose two young children keep him busy when he’s not playing Futsal in the Unitec gym.
We’ll be profiling three new Heads each week over February and March. Read our previous posts to learn more about Katie Bruffy, Dan Blanchon and Nick Sheppard; and Christian Probst, Lee Baglow and Vanessa Byrnes.
Paul Jeurissen, Head of Building Construction
Tell us about your professional career
I have extensive experience in the education sector, my last permanent role being Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Trades at Manukau Institute of Technology. Since leaving MIT, my company has successfully undertaken many projects, several of which have involved qualification development and programme leadership. In July I accepted a permanent position at Unitec as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management. These roles necessitated liaison with Māori and Pasifika communities, international students, and external stakeholders which has resulted in strong networks across the industry. During this time, I have successfully led change initiatives, instigated and undertaken collaboration with other education providers to define alternative/improved pathways, sourced and secured alternative revenue sources, and improved student participation and engagement.
What attracted you to this role?
Trades and vocational education offers huge opportunities for staff and students at Unitec. I felt that I have the experience and leadership skills to make a difference in this sector.
What are you looking forward to this year, both professionally and personally?
I am looking forward to working with the newly appointed Heads of School and the Executive Leadership team to navigate and lead the new landscape moving forward.
It’s a goal of mine to maintain a close connection with teaching and learning for students. When I returned to teaching after many years of being in leadership roles it reinforced to me that as leaders, students must be at the forefront of our minds when we make decisions.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am married and have two adult daughters who went to Edendale primary and then Marist School for girls. I enjoy cycling, fishing, music and reading. My most recent holiday was a cruise through the Caribbean and visiting New Orleans on our way home, but usually we holiday at Waipu Cove just north of Auckland.
Kerry Kirkland, Head of Applied Business
Tell us about your professional career.
I have spent most of my career straddling the academic and business worlds. An alumni of Otago University, I worked in various roles at the University, including teaching in the Marketing Department, Head of Marketing Services and Programme Director of the Master of Entrepreneurship. About five years ago I moved to Auckland to be closer to my family and worked in management and marketing roles in two start-ups; one of which has since gone bust (not my fault!) and the other which is going gangbusters and has since expanded to Australia.
What attracted you to this role?
The opportunity to come back to academia and work with students again was very appealing to me and drove my initial decision to apply for the Head of Pathway role in 2016. The past few years have been an exciting ride, with never a dull day I have to say. The people I have met and work with are amazing and make Unitec the special place it is.
What are you looking forward to this year, both professionally and personally?
The Head of School role is a great opportunity to build upon the hard work of the past few years, particularly in programme development and quality assurance. My vision is to build a School which attracts students from near and far and is known as the best place in Auckland to study applied business. We have a great team who are dedicated to our students and the future of business education.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
In my spare time I like to swim, walk my dog Lucy and catch up with family and friends. My partner and I (and Lucy) regularly travel back to Otago to visit friends and family… you can take the girl out of the Mainland but you can’t take the Mainland out of the girl.
Chris King, Head of Bridgepoint
Tell us about your professional career.
I’ve been involved in teaching and learning for more than twenty years, and have a passion for education. I started at Unitec in 2003 over in the southwest village, teaching in the School of English and Applied Linguistics. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to contribute as a lecturer, course coordinator, research chair, and in institute-wide roles supporting programme review and programme development. Last year I was fortunate to be able to work and collaborate with staff across Unitec to focus on building evaluative capability and improving academic quality.
What attracted you to this role?
One of the main things that motivates me as I think about the leadership role is working for and with our teachers and staff in Bridgepoint, Supported Learning and Language Studies who, as with our colleagues in other schools, have so much passion for teaching, learning, and supporting our tauira. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with other Heads of School and staff across the institute as we respond to what the next few years will bring.
What are you looking forward to this year, both professionally and personally?
The thing I’m looking forward to most this year are the opportunities and challenges that will come our way. There’s no doubt that it will be a lot of work, but with so many fantastic people across Unitec who are passionate about the same thing, this is mahi that we’re all up for.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have a nine-year-old girl and a ten-year-old boy, so spending the summer holidays and making the most of daylight savings at beaches and parks has been great. As a family we love travelling, both in New Zealand and overseas. While I haven’t been able to play every week, Friday Futsal in the gym has been really sociable and a lot of fun. I also enjoy the thought of getting back into both tennis and home brewing.