Here at Aidan’s we have various staff who have a wide range of experience, skills and bring fundamental inputs to our College environment. Each member is important to our community and its development and with them our community strives to break barriers and enhance community cohesion. All of our staff are dedicated to our community which enhance our College ethos in the shape of a rainbow.
Dr Susan Frenk, College Principal @ s.f.frenk@durham.ac.uk
Susan is Scottish but has also roamed the world and retains strong links in Latin America. Formerly a lecturer in MLAC, her research interests now focus on multi-disciplinary approaches to sex, gender and sexuality, contemporary Jewish Studies and refugee/diaspora experiences. Community building to promote social justice and an understanding of our shared humanity is her primary goal. Aidan’s is a community within communities, manifested in our relationship with Durham Pride, Durham City of Sanctuary, our Enterprise Forum (SIEF) and international networks like Women’s Economic Imperative. If you are interested in expanding our local and international community relationships, drop by her office or arrange to meet. Everyone can make a difference.
(Retd) Major Helen De Montes, Vice Principal @ Helen.de-montes@durham.ac.uk
Helen joined St Aidan’s College as Vice Principal in September ’21. During a 20- year military career, she attended Sandhurst, which equipped her with leadership skills based on respect, trust, and an ethos of service to others. Insights into mental health and resilience from leading a team of healthcare professionals at the British Military Hospital (Basra, Iraq) in 2007 and work on creating more inclusive cultures, resonate with Aidan’s ethos and aspirations.
Helen’s Spanish and South American heritage make her gravitate towards any form of social gathering around food and performing arts. She also has a strong interest in geopolitics and twentieth century history. Helen enjoys playing and supporting all team sports, especially Basketball. Her home team, Richmond Vikings Ladies Basketball Team, introduces girls and young women to the sport as a way of building their confidence and communication skills. Helen’s strong sense of social justice and caring nature is reflected in her advocacy skills as a qualified lawyer and registered nurse. With a leadership style based on inclusivity, kindness and respect, Helen aims to build on the success of St Aidan’s College community, by fostering an environment where students of all ages and profiles can grow and feel valued.
Mr Shane McHugh, College Administration Co-ordinator and Co-Chair of Durham University LGBT+ Staff and Postgraduate Network @ Shane.A.McHugh@durham.ac.uk
Shane has been at Aidan's since 2019 where he took on the role of Student Support Administrator. From his past experience in the private accommodation industry and youth provision, Shane has a wide range of experience, interpersonal skills and knowledge surrounding student issues and how to overcome them. Shane has won and been nominated for various awards from the National Youth Agency. By the age of 19 Shane founded a regional young people's charity partnership, which collected gift packages. Within its foundation year over 19,000 gift packages were made and donated to young people across the region.
The scheme is still successfully running today! With these skills he has been able to break barriers within communities, implement change and ensure every young person/ student has the opportunity to shine which he continues to bring to Aidan's and in the wider world. Shane holds other roles within the University/ Community which include: Co-Chair of the LGBT+ Staff and Postgraduate network and is involved in empowering staff and students at a strategic University level. Durham Pride/ Rainbow Alliance committee executive member which organises/run Durham Pride each year. And is also a trustee and governor for various charities/ youth organisations and local schools.
Shane looks after the key Student/College administrative functions, Heads various WSE activities and offers personal advice and guidance to our students. If you need a chat, want some advice or want to run a project Shane's your guy.
Dr Christopher Jones, Assistant Principal @ Christopher.c.jones@durham.ac.uk
Christopher Jones is a Black African (who happens to be American) from Houston, Texas. His activism is underpinned by being a Pan-African and anti-discriminatory scholar-activist. He was a scholarship student-athlete at Durham University from 2014-2022, being a coach/player for Durham University Men’s basketball team. He has recently completed his PhD at Durham University in the Department of Sociology (Summer 2022).
His research is predominantly around race/ethnic inequalities in education - intersected with other personal characteristics (e.g., class and gender). His thesis explored student perceptions and attitudes on race, racism (e.g., explicit and implicit), and racial inclusiveness within Higher Education Institutions and its subsequent influence on their wider student experience. Currently, he is employed as an Assistant Principal for St Aidan’s college at Durham University to support and improve the wider student experience for university students.
Name
Position
Contact
John Hutchinson
Community Operations Team Leader
john.hutchinson@durham.ac.uk
Lesley Peak
Community Operations Manager
l.p.peak@durham.ac.uk
Diane Walker
Food & Beverages Manager
d.p.walker@durham.ac.uk
Beverly Garett
aidans.finance@durham.ac.uk
Carolyn Barker
Receptionist
carolyn.barker@durham.ac.uk
Una Elsy
una.elsy@durham.ac.uk
Joe Eaton
JCR President
aidans.president@durham.ac.uk
JCR Treasurer
treasurer@st-aidans.com
Jyotsana Khowal
Subhalakshmi Dey
SCR Presidents
st-aidans.scr@durham.ac.uk
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