Professor Adrian Simpson is responsible for the overall direction, leadership, and development of the College. Adrian divides his time between being Principal of St. Mary’s College and being Professor of Mathematics Education in the School of Education He chairs several committees within the College, represents the College at Colleges’ Division and is a member of the University Senate. Adrian is married to Paola, has two cats with distressingly dissimilar personalities, bakes a mean sourdough loaf and appeared fleetingly in the first episode of the 1980s TV series Lovejoy. adrian.simpson@durham.ac.uk
Kate is our Vice Principal. As part of the College Management Team at St Mary's, Kate works closely to support the Principal with the strategic development of the College community including student enrichment and wider student opportunities. She works with student leaders to support the vital work of the common rooms. She can be contacted by email at stmarys.viceprincipal@durham.ac.uk
Emma Gray is one of our Assistant Principals. She qualified and practised for many years as a private client lawyer, before spending time working with young offenders in a Young Offender Institute and then becoming part of the Mary’s community with her therapy dog, Twig (who is also very much part of Mary’s!) in 2021. Emma’s role is predominantly student welfare and support and she also runs the Mary’s internship programme and administers scholarships and bursaries. In her spare time, Emma loves the outdoors and keeps rescue donkeys. Emma can be contacted via email: emma.gray@durham.ac.uk
Dave was appointed to a lectureship in Computer Science in Durham in 1983. Other posts have included being a Deputy Executive Dean looking after Natural Sciences for fifteen years, Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society, working in the University Counselling Service and doing student support at University College, Josephine Butler College and St. Aidan’s College. He also worked part-time in the NHS for twenty-two years. He was appointed to his part-time post in St. Mary’s in March 2014. Dave is a keen runner and is always encouraging Mary’s students to do parkrun! dave.robson@durham.ac.uk
Hey everyone! I’m Maddie and I’m delighted to be your JCR President for 2023/4. I graduated in summer 2023 with a degree in English Literature and have loved every second of my time here, from singing and dancing all over the city, to celebrating with friends. The Mary’s community is truly special, and I could not be more excited to welcome you all here for the start of your University journey. My top priority is representing the College’s undergraduate student body; this includes overseeing finances, welfare, events, sports & societies and so much more! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions or concerns you might have, as I want to ensure your time here is the best it can possibly be.
Mary’s love x st-marys.jcr@durham.ac.uk
Angela is the College Administration Coordinator and works closely with the Principal, Vice Principal and Assistant Principal’s, as well as all other staff at St Mary’s. She has quite a varied background originating in Administration working for her families Haulage Business whilst studying part time, to Airline Cabin Crew (visiting a vast number of destinations, with varied passengers!) to training Weight and Balance to aircraft dispatchers! Now settled back in her home town of Durham, she has been at St Mary’s for just under a year, and loves the friendly atmosphere of the college, and the spectacular grounds! She can be contacted by email angela.gurteen@durham.ac.uk
Helen, our College Operations Manager, has been at Mary’s for a very looooong time and holds many service years (too many years to mention) and a lot of knowledge. She has particularly enjoyed the development of student events that have vastly grown and outgrown the college due to their success, very challenging at times but also rewarding to see the enjoyment they bring to all. It has been good to see Mary’s develop and being part of those changes.
Steve has had a varied career path from joining Thames Valley Police at age 19, to driving buses and coaches and working as a prisoner transport officer, before joining University College, Oxford, where he held the post of Deputy Head Porter for eight years. Steve moved to the North East in 2021 with his Durham-born wife, their two rescue dogs, Bertie and Milo, and their rescue turtle Shelley. Aside from being a dad, he loves baseball, scale modelling and military history.
A very familiar face around Mary’s, Mustafa is our Food and Beverages Service Head and you will find him around the dining hall making sure students are looked after (and following the rules!). Mustafa started working at the college in 2010 after a career in the commercial hotel sector. He loves being around students and getting to know them. Outside work he loves to watch and play golf, and go jogging – if his knees allow.
JP joined St Mary's in 2023, adding a vast experience in catering to college life.
Mary’s College Reception staff are the friendly and welcoming face of St Mary’s and will help with any day-to-day queries, post, parcels, and key issues! They love getting to know all of the students and helping them out. reception.stmarys@durham.ac.uk
Samantha Brown and Diana Charlton share the role of Receptionist at St Mary's.
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