We are pleased to announce that Ms Alice Draffin has been appointed to the new position of Dean of Student Wellbeing.  

A residential position, the Dean of Student Wellbeing will have a key management role central to supporting students to ensure they thrive in all aspects of their life whilst at university and college - and as we prepare to launch an exciting new wellbeing program in 2022.  

Alice is a respected member of the UQ colleges community, where she held a student life position at The Women’s College.  Prior to that Alice spent time working in university residences in the United States (at Brown and Rochester), where she completed her Masters in Education at University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education, earning the Dean’s Award.   Prior to that Alice worked as a schoolteacher in Melbourne. Alice is passionate about the college experience having lived at Mannix College in Melbourne where she was President of the Student Club in 2012 before taking various roles on the National Association of Australian University Colleges (NAAUC) Executive and then President in 2015.  Alice is currently undertaking a Master’s of Business Administration at Griffith University.

Alice will work closely with the Vice Warden, Dr Areti Metuamate who is also delighted to have Ms Draffin join his team. Ari said “I have known Alice since her time as NAAUC president and have always been impressed by the commitment and passion she has for college life. As we prepare to launch our new student wellbeing program in 2022, I am confident that Alice’s energy and focus on supporting students will be invaluable to St John’s”. 

We look forward to warmly welcoming Alice, and her partner Matt, to St John’s and to her contribution to our college community.