Churchill’s Admissions Tutor, Dr Nick Cutler, has just completed his last undergraduate admissions round for the College, having departed for a Senior Lectureship at the University of Newcastle, which he takes up in January.
Nick has been with us for seven years, on shared appointments first with Trinity College and latterly with the Department of Geography. His move to Newcastle will enable him to focus more heavily upon his research and teaching career. We are delighted that he will be able to do this, though we are very sorry to lose him — both as a terrific colleague and a good friend.
Nick brought to our admissions process external perspective and insight, and strong capability in respect of data analysis, which fitted perfectly with our data-driven approach to admissions decision-making. In this, every decision is made, so far as is possible, with a strong metrical sense of the validity of the factors being considered. In Nick’s time with us, we moved to maximising the numbers of conditional offers made, thereby giving as many applicants as possible the chance to confirm their Cambridge place by their efforts in public examinations; Nick also used his fantastic design eye (in a former life he was an architect) to sharpen our visual recruitment material, especially in respect of open-day and other presentations.
While his departure certainly leaves a hole, Dr Jonathan Padley, who has long been our Widening Participation Officer, will replace Nick admirably, bringing his own brand of expertise to our admissions operation.
We wish Nick the very best for the future and look forward to welcoming him back to the College again as a visitor as soon as his commitments permit; and we anticipate with pleasure the renewal that Jonathan’s arrival in post will bring.
— Richard Partington, Senior Tutor
