Whitecliffe announces three new appointments to the Board

Whitecliffe is pleased to announce three new appointments to the Board, with a wealth of experience from the University, ITP, Online Learning, and Private Education sectors that will support Whitecliffe’s strategic vision within the higher education sector, both in Aotearoa and abroad.

Derek McCormack was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of AUT in 2004, a role which he only recently stepped down from in 2022. Over 18 years, Mr McCormack led AUT University through a period of substantial change and development, which saw significant advances in international research rankings, while also maintaining a strong focus on graduate employability. Mr McCormack has also served as chair for several national organisations including the New Zealand Academy of Sport, the New Zealand Stroke Foundation, the New Zealand Vice Chancellors Committee and Universities New Zealand.

Dr. Caroline Seelig has 30 years of experience as a senior manager in the New Zealand tertiary education sector and is currently the Chief Executive of the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, a role she has successfully held for 13 years. Previously, Caroline has held senior positions at Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Eastern Institute of Technology, and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. Dr. Seelig is an Honorary Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) and a Woolf Fisher Scholar. She is New Zealand’s representative on the Governance Board of Commonwealth of Learning, has recently been appointed to the Board of Ako Aotearoa, and has also served on the Boards of LearningWorks, ESA Ltd, and Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Sherri Bell began her academic career as a teacher, followed by positions as Vice-Principal and then Principal in the K-12 system. Before becoming President of Camosun College in 2015, Sherri worked for the Greater Victoria School District for 20 years, serving in various senior administrative capacities, including Superintendent of Schools/Chief Executive Officer. She also worked with the Ministry of Education in the areas of curriculum development assessment. Sherri was also the Board Chair of the British Columbia Council for International Education (BCCIE) and is Chair of British Columbia Colleges (BCC.)

The Owner and Chairman of Whitecliffe College, Feroz Ali says, “I am delighted to welcome these amazing leaders to our Whitecliffe board and am excited to see how their unique experiences enhance our governance and decision-making processes. As Whitecliffe pursues its goals in expanding to Canada and Australia, building research capability and output, and expanding our programme portfolio, the newly appointed board members will be able to guide the management team with advice and wisdom required to ensure a positive outcome, while prioritising the success of our graduates.”

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