Graduate cohort information
Our first Graduate Cohort began their journey in September 2024.
After an intensive onboarding week of meeting Senior colleagues and getting to know each other, they have now all settled into their first placements across different areas of the University of Exeter's Professional Services.
Over the next two years, the cohort will be working with their support channels and building their skills and connections to deliver 5 key projects each that support Strategy 2030.
To see what the cohort are currently working on, click on their image.
Rotational Professional Services
Digital & IT
Iona Inglis (She/Her)
Iona has joined the Future Leaders and Innovators Graduate Scheme from the University of York, with a BA in Business of the Creative Industries.
Iona is passionate about inclusive leadership and accessibility to education and so we are thrilled to see her benefit from a Mentor in Heather Haseley (Director of Education Innovation, Co-Dean for Online and PGT programmes). In addition to this, she has a keen interest in environmental sustainability and is excited to have relocated to the south-west to join the University of Exeter.
Her placements are in Learning Experiences & Innovation (EAS), PS Connect (UCS), and she will be spending her third placement working in EEG for the Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability in Penryn – all areas that will benefit hugely from her enthusiasm for the sector.
Xuecong Wang (She/Her)
Xuecong [shuer-tsom], has joined the Future Leaders and Innovators Graduate Scheme from University College London, where she completed an MSc in Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She previously studied at the University of Lancaster, where she obtained her BSc in Accounting and Finance.
Xuecong has expressed a real passion for sustainability and envisions herself within a senior role in this area. To support this career development, she will be engaging with her Senior Mentor, Joanna Chamberlain (Director of Sustainability, FICS).
Xuecong will be completing placements in PS Connect (UCS), Sustainability (FICS), and Degree Apprenticeships (Exeter Innovation) in this first year of the Graduate Scheme – we are excited to see what she achieves.
Anna Shortt (She/Her)
Anna studied Theology and Religion here at the University of Exeter, and she has already built knowledge of our Professional Services divisions prior to her joining the Future Leaders and Innovators Graduate Scheme. She completed a summer internship working in the Multifaith Chaplaincy as well as term-time work alongside her studies as a Student Ambassador, working for the Digital Hub, and as a Residence Life Mentor.
Anna has a keen focus on workplace wellbeing, inclusivity, and can see herself in a long-term career within Higher Education. To support this, her Senior Mentor is Christian Carter (Head of Colleague Health & Wellbeing), and we are looking forward to seeing her flourish with this partnership.
She will be undertaking placements in Strategy, Policy, and Performance (Research Services), Talent & Policy (HR) and PS Connect (UCS).
Alex Basta (He/Him)
Alex Basta obtained his BSc in Immersive Computing from Falmouth University and is completing the Future Leaders and Innovators Graduate Scheme on the IT stream.
Alex has a passion for IT services and all areas within this, and so we are looking forward to seeing him benefit from a Senior Mentor in Nathan Burden (Director of IT Services).
Alex’s first placement is with the Desktop Support team helping students and staff settle into the new Academic year and will be moving onto other vital IT projects over the course of his Graduate Scheme. We are excited to see Alex’s skills and knowledge grow in each placement.
Harry Coleman-Goriah (He/Him)
Harry is a University of Exeter Graduate and has joined the Future Leaders & Innovators Graduate Scheme on the Digital & IT Stream. He obtained his BSc in Computer Science and Philosophy.
He is interested in the delivery of IT and Digital projects and hopes to gain further experience with the technical aspects of this, including Agile ways of working. To support this learning, Harry’s Senior Mentor is Michael Westwood (Head of Architecture and IT Delivery) who will also give insight into management within IT services.
Harry will be undertaking placements in both Digital Transformation and IT Services, starting with Digital and working on the MyExeter application that was launched this autumn.
