Department of Student Affairs
The Department of Student Affairs assist students and faculty in achieving their educational goals both in and outside the classroom.
Our main objectives are providing services that support and encourage student welfare, safety and development, but we can also assist with general problem solving for any questions associated with student life in general.
Our offices both on the Richmond campus and at the Kensington facility, we operate an open-door policy allowing students to drop by with questions or concerns. Private appointments are also available with our staff.
Below you will find staff profiles so that you can recognise us on campus!
Explore Student Life at Richmond
Our Mission
The role of Student Affairs in fulfilling the University’s mission is to advocate for students to ensure that they are the main focus in all decisions and actions central to the overall development of the student learning experience.
We aim to accomplish this in partnership with Academic Affairs by offering programs and services which positively impact learning as well as the total student life experience.
Our goal is to help develop leadership skills that will enable students to excel in a global environment and to foster appreciation, sensitivity and respect for ethnic diversity and tolerance for cultural and individual differences.
Some of our main service areas include:
- Campus-wide events including Orientation, International Night, Graduation and more
- Immigration and visa information once you are in the UK
- Residence Life (Accommodation)
- Student Activities including clubs and societies, trips and sporting opportunities
- Issuing official University letters for many purposes including visas, council tax exemption and reference letters
- Physical and Mental health services
- Welfare support
- Career development and guidance for life after graduation
- Guidelines for the Student Conduct Code
Contact Us
Give us a call, we’re here to help. No problem too big or too small. Alternatively, you can email us!.
Richmond Hill
Our offices are located in the Taylor Library on the Ground Floor.
Richmond general fax: +44 (0)208 332 3050
Kensington
We are located in 37 High Street Kensington.
Kensington Student Affairs phone: +44 (0)207 368 8506
Meet the Staff
Hello and welcome to Richmond!
I started at Richmond in January 2001, but have been involved in the field of international education since 1993. I have taught English overseas and have also coordinated housing for international students in the US.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Comparative Literature from Colorado College in 1992 and my MA in Foreign Language Education at the University of Texas in 1993. I am currently working on a doctorate in International Education at the Institute of Education, University of London.
At Richmond, I oversee all of the out-of-the-classroom student experience including housing, leadership development and careers, student activities and sports, and health care and counselling.
My staff and I aim to make your University experience the best it can possibly be, so please let us know how we can help you.
Hey there! My name is Alex and I’m joining Richmond after working as an elected student Officer and specialist in digital engagement – it’s great to be here.
During my time at University, I studied at the University of Birmingham and the University of Surrey, where I got my undergraduate and PhD qualifications. After my PhD, I was excited at the opportunities to represent a diverse student community and help them achieve their potential. Now at Richmond, I really enjoy the opportunities to help students get involved and make the most of their time here.
In my current role with Richmond, I offer general pastoral care and support to students, support our peer mentoring programme, manage our clubs and activities, work with our students leaders, lead on student conduct, and run events on and off campus (amongst other duties).
Please get in touch any time – you can reach me on hardena@richmond.ac.uk.
As the Associate Dean for Financial Aid & Scholarships, I am responsible for all areas relating to Student Funding; Loans, Grants, Scholarships, etc.
Professionally, I have worked for several years in various capacity at higher education institutions both in the USA & UK. I have also had the opportunity to study in the UK, USA and Sierra Leone. This broad experience has contributed in shaping my worldview.
Some of my extracurricular activities include playing tennis, and reading. As one with a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, I also enjoy travelling internationally and learning about different cultures.
Hi! My name is Oliver and I am Richmond’s Residence Life Coordinator for the lower division campus.
I have worked in international education and training for many years: in English language schools, Study Abroad programs as well as for US and UK Universities. I am a graduate of SOAS and Brunel Universities, and am a qualified English language teacher. I am also a native Londoner and a keen runner.
Please stop in to see me in the Taylor Library. I look forward to meeting all of you and welcoming you to Richmond!
Greetings! My name is Chelsea and I’m the Residence Life Coordinator for the Kensington Campus. I’ve always had a passion for travel and I’ve worked as a tour guide, as an English Tutor in Italy, and assisted in organizing a Service Learning trip to Guatemala. Between all that I completed my BA(Hons) at the University of Toronto Mississauga with a major in Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies and minors in English and Italian.
I originally moved from my hometown of Toronto, Canada to combine my love of Student Affairs and international learning at a Canadian study abroad campus in East Sussex. I’m thrilled to join the Richmond team and continue working for a North American institution in the UK, with the added bonus of Richmond also being so international in its student body.
My role here falls under the umbrella that covers Kensington residences and I work with our fantastic team of RAs and RDs, but I also want to make this campus feel like home for all its students and I aim to foster a sense of community here.
Hello my name is Katherine Lytle and I am the Student Affairs Coordinator based on the Richmond campus.
I have always been interested in travel, other languages and cultures and I was an exchange student for one year at a university in northern Sweden, starting my working career there within the study abroad programme. I also have over a decade of experience working in the media and other educational settings in the UK including an international college advising students on settling into university life and immigration matters.
My role is to offer advice and guidance on any aspect of life outside of the classroom at university; be it healthcare and counselling, planning a trip, supporting and advising students with additional needs, immigration advice, and negotiating the administration within the University.
