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Spotlight on Paulette Williams

21 March 2018

This week the spotlight is on Paulette Williams, Head of Student Success Projects, Office of the Vice-Provost for Education and Student Affairs.

Paulette Williams

What is your role and what does it involve? 

I'm Head of Student Success Projects, Office of the Vice-Provost for Education and Student Affairs, which means I oversee a number of institutional projects that aim to improve outcomes for all UCL students.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I've worked at UCL on and off since 2005. I worked mainly in Access and Widening Participation, leading on mentoring and tutoring programmes and later our Post 16 sustained engagement activities. I also previously worked for Library Services at the Archaeology Library and at the IOE.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

The work I've done at UCL has been pretty rewarding overall but I think I'm most proud of the work I'm currently doing on BME attainment. It's enabled me to interact with so many colleagues across the institution, learn more about their work as well as work towards making a real difference for current students at UCL.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

The BME Attainment project is a three year project that aims to eliminate the BME attainment gap at UCL. We're introducing a range of initiatives that will support staff to improve attainment levels within their faculties. We're recruiting BME Attainment Leads for each faculty and rolling out detailed data and an Inclusive Curriculum Framework for staff.

Our first major event is the BME Attainment Conference on Tuesday 10 April which I'm really excited about. There's been a lot of interest in the conference and we're almost full already so do sign up before it's too late! You can find out more about the agenda and register through our website.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

My favourite album is 'A Seat at the Table' by Solange.

My favourite film is currently Marvel's Black Panther because it's so important for there to be representation in the mainstream media, especially for young people.

I'm enjoying Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman at the moment. I'm really late but it's a complete change for me and quite fun to read.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Oprah, Beyoncé and Barack Obama in the hopes that one of them will adopt me.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be easy on yourself! Everything works out in the end so just do your best and have good intentions.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I'm a qualified nutritional therapist. Only possibly surprising as it has nothing to do with my day to day job.

What is your favourite place?

I love New York! I honestly feel at home every time I visit.