CEO of Sunderland SU
We caught up with former NCD student and SU President, Katherine Cooper, to hear how her experience at NCD has positively impacted her career since graduating.
Starting her journey at NCD on our Level 3 Travel and Tourism course in 2003, Katherine continued her development by progressing to our Foundation Degree in Travel and Tourism Management, followed graduating from a full bachelors degree in Business Administration and Management in 2011.
Katherine said:
“Throughout my time at New College Durham I felt valued as a student, not just a number. My tutors were friendly and very supportive of my career development. I got to experience some amazing opportunities at NCD, from enjoying ERASMUS programmes in Edinburgh, Germany and Belgium and volunteering in Kenya three times to becoming a QAA Student Reviewer.”
Katherine ran for SU President and continued her education on our professional CIPD Human Resources qualification, she continued:
“I decided to run for SU President at NCD because I wanted to share the experiences I’d had as a student with other students, to influence change and to get student voices heard.”
Following her term as president, Katherine worked the 2012 Olympic Games as a team member for TUI.
“After living in London for the Olympic Games, I returned to New College Durham to teach travel and tourism whilst studying for my PgCE at Teesside University.”
In 2014, Katherine started a new role as Income Generation and Marketing Manager for Willow Burn Hospice. Katherine opened the door to new opportunities at Sunderland’s Students’ Union in 2018 when she started her first role within the organisation as Marketing and Communication Manager.
Katherine continued:
"I am truly thankful for the opportunities and experiences I had at New College, a place that holds a really special place in my heart. A true accolade to my journey into CEO of Sunderland Students' Union, and many of the experiences I had at NCD I still to this day share with our students."