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New OCASA President - The Open College of the Arts

To find out more details about the transfer to The Open University see A New Chapter for OCA.

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New OCASA President

ocasalogo-tiny-2 (1)The OCA Student Association announced yesterday that Teresa Lanham will become the new OCASA President in February. Teresa, a level one photography student was nominated by fellow students and elected unopposed. I look forward to meeting Teresa and working with her.
Teresa will be the third OCASA President and will succeed John Umney who has held the position since November 2012. John took over the role just as the OCA, in common with other Higher Education providers, was coming to terms with the revolution in funding that took place in September 2012. It is worth remembering that the changes at that time saw undergraduate arts education move from a subject which received enhanced funding to one which received no direct funding.
Together with fellow OCASA committee members, John has worked tireless for students’ interests, arguing successfully for the creation of Course Support Advisers at the OCA Head Office and urging us to consider the needs of all students and in particular those for whom the OCA’s open learning model was the only effective option to study the arts at an advanced level.
As the student representative on the OCA Board of Trustees, John’s considered input has won him considerable respect and influence. On the finely balanced decision about whether the OCA should develop a Music degree, John ensured the voice of existing students was heard and was a decisive influence. He will be a hard act to follow.
Gareth Dent
Principal


Posted by author: Genevieve Sioka

18 thoughts on “New OCASA President

  • Congratulations Teresa and thank you for taking on this role. I wish you luck and trust that you will have the support of both us students when you need it and the OCA management team. All the best. Regards, Doug

  • Well there was no one more pleased than me when John took over three years ago – if you know what I mean! (Some will!) A resounding ‘well done’ to John (and the team) for developing OCASA’s involvement and influence so successfully. The students (and OCA) owe you a big debt of gratitude for your time, efforts and achievement. A big ‘thanks’ from me, too!
    … and best of luck to Teresa.

  • Welcome aboard, Teresa – thank you for your involvement and commitment.
    And, a huge ‘thank you’, John – I think you really made it a meaningful and positive role and have massively helped progress things for the college in many ways indeed, particularly being an integral relay point between the college and the student body to convey and communicate back important and at times very challenging changes.
    All the best – and send me an assignment soon!

  • Thank you John.I’m so pleased to see how widely you are appreciated and respected.
    Teresa, I wish you a successful term. I hope you are supported on all sides, to uphold the values and principles of the college.

  • Welcome Teresa, I look forward to working with you… and thanks John for all the commitment you’ve shown for supporting the student experience at OCA. I’ve really enjoyed working with you and the level of insight, humour and general good naturedness you’ve brought to the table! All the best and keep in touch
    Christian

    • Christian, I really enjoyed it as well, your advice will stay with me for a long while; as will the image of one of your stage acts…perhaps too long!

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