Name: Sharon McGladrigan

Job title: Senior Personal Assistant to the Provost

Department: University Executive Office

Number of years at Warwick: 20

There’s no such thing as a typical day, but, in brief, my job involves...

Supporting the University’s Provost, Christine Ennew, in ensuring her day runs as smoothly as possible by juggling her diary to make efficient use of her time; making sure she is accessible to all Chairs of Faculty, and Academic Heads of Department in case of urgent need; ensuring she provides support to many projects and events run by Warwick’s academic community; whilst still providing the time and space for her to still contribute to the University’s Strategy.

I work with the other members of the University Executive Office support team in ensuring that all visitors feel welcomed to our office - as it can feel quite daunting walking through our doors!

My most memorable moment at Warwick has been...

Managing for the 4-day International Students’ Orientation Programme during the early 1990’s when we held it in a temporary large marquee on Tocil Field (where The Oculus now stands) for around 350 new international students. The team spirit seen amongst my support colleagues in the Warwick’s International Office was outstanding.

In my time at Warwick, the biggest change I’ve seen is...

Losing so much green space on central campus has been sad but wonderful to see so many amazing new buildings and the campus grow in strength as well as capacity.

Warwick's kept me here because...

The people! I have so many brilliant work colleagues, many of whom I now call friends, that I have worked with in the past and still work with.

At the moment I'm really enjoying working on...

The new Academic Heads of Department Development Programme for new Academic HoDs who will start in their roles during 2019-20. I organise sessions on a number of aspects of the HoDs role and ensure that they know that myself and the Provost are here to support them as they embark on such fundamental roles within Warwick’s Academic community.

The best thing about working at Warwick is...

Working for the Provost, she is the most inspirational, kind and thoughtful boss I could ever have and she makes me laugh every day!

I'm really glad I got involved with...

Women of Warwick WI. I was a founding member of the only work-placed WI in Warwickshire which began around 4 years ago. We are only a small group who meet the first Wednesday of each month on campus but I have made amazing friends from different areas of Warwick. I have also learnt so much about myself, work at Warwick and beyond from all the incredible speakers and visitors we have had. And never laughed as much when participating in some of the activities organised (I will never be able to hula hoop in my life!)

Enjoyed hearing from Sharon? Hear from some of our other Long Service Award recipients

"I have so many brilliant work colleagues, many of whom I now call friends, that I have worked with in the past and still work with."