Bath Spa University vice-chancellor Professor Sue Rigby has been appointed as chair of the trustee board of UK student mental health charity Student Minds.
The charity works with students, service users, professionals and academics to develop new and innovative ways to improve the mental health of students.
Prof Rigby, pictured, joined the board last September and, as chair, will lead the board and provide accountability, oversight and robust governance to help the charity achieve its goals to improve university mental health.
She has a long history of engagement with national initiatives around learning, teaching and supporting students, including chairing the Learning Gain Steering Group for the Office for Students, chairing the Teaching Excellence Framework Natural Sciences Panel and sitting on the Disabled Students Sector Leadership Group organised by the Department for Education.
She said: “This is such an important charity that offers vital support to students and their universities.
“The journey through university is a life-changing one and it is essential that students have the support they need to achieve their potential. I am thrilled to be able to help Student Minds to grow and thrive.”
Student Minds founder and senior lecturer in psychology at Kings’ College London, Dr Nicola Byrom, added: “I started working on the idea of Student Minds 11 years ago. It has been a privilege to see the charity grow and develop.
“This success is thanks to the many phenomenal people who have devoted time and energy towards the ambition of supporting better student mental health. Sue is one of these people.
“Working with her over the past few years has been an inspiration. She has the skills and experience to ensure the charity builds strong foundations to continue supporting students for decades to come.”
Prof Rigby’s academic background is in palaeontology. She became vice-chancellor of Bath Spa University in January 2018. The university offers a wide range of courses across the arts, sciences, education, social science and business to more than 7,000 students.
