College head nominated for a national inspiring leader award

Jan. 19, 2013 - PRLog -- The Director and Chief Executive of the newly-established Coventry University College, has been nominated for a prestigious award in a national newspaper.

John Dishman has been short-listed in the ‘Inspiring Leader’ category of the Guardian Newspaper’s University Awards.

Under the leadership of John Dishman, Coventry University College opened its doors in September 2012 and was designed to complement the University by offering professionally focussed courses in a range of subject areas.

The College was established to operate on simple principles with high quality teaching but without all of the services and facilities offered by the University, which meant that lower tuition fees were possible.

The shortlisting has come as a welcome surprise for John Dishman. He said:

“I am delighted to be shortlisted for the award in the Inspiring Leader category of the Guardian University Awards. I believe the work of Coventry University College, and the wider university is responsible for this recognition. Coventry University College is all about offering new opportunities for people to undertake higher education and I feel privileged to have the chance to lead such an exciting and innovative development. “

John played a leading role in the FE/HE merger of Harrogate College with Leeds Metropolitan University before coming to Coventry to spearhead the work of Coventry University College and its innovative approach to higher education, which is designed to integrate study into the life that people lead.

The nomination information from the awards judges, to accompany the short-listing for the Inspiring Leader category, said:

“John Dishman is passionate about the provision of high quality further and higher education and removing barriers to social mobility for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. John is seen as an innovative thinker in his role as chair of the AMiE (Association of Managers in Education) National Council education committee, and the innovation of his latest venture comes as no surprise.”

The winner will be announced at the Guardian University Awards on 27 February 2013.

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Note to editors:

The Inspiring Leader award at the inaugural Guardian University Awards recognises an individual who has demonstrated inspirational leadership, vision, and new approaches to working and engagement. The award is open to all levels of leadership and aims to reward a leader who has brought out the best in their team, resulting in exceptional results.