Heather Merrick
Director of Academic Quality
Heather Merrick has spent more than four years helping shape how AUT maintains and builds its academic quality. She came for the university’s history and its commitment to being genuinely transformational. She has stayed for the people – and for the students who make that mission feel real every time they walk across a graduation stage.
The genuine and demonstrated willingness staff have to put learners front and centre is what has surprised me most about AUT.
What’s your role and how long have you been at AUT?
I am the director of academic quality and head of the Academic Quality Office, which is part of the portfolio of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). I’ve been at AUT for more than four years, and previously held a role at the University of Auckland. Like any university it takes a while to understand how everything works, and I feel as if I still have lots to learn, but I enjoy the challenge!
What made you choose AUT – and what made you stay?
I love AUT for its history, and for its inclusive and progressive approach to providing transformational educational opportunities. We’re the university of opportunity and are consolidating our identity as the only university of technology in the country. I believe our commitment to Te Tiriti is inspirational and I see first-hand how colleagues are working to support and enact Te Aronui (our Tiriti framework).
I stay because I love the people I work with, including my own fantastic team, our students, our hard-working leaders, and the superlative staff in our faculties and central services.
What has surprised you most about working here?
The genuine and demonstrated willingness staff have to put learners front and centre. Their mahi is a testament to their commitment to our ākonga, but also their loyalty to AUT, and its values and mission.
When did you last think: this is why I do this job?
I have that thought every time I meet our students and student leaders, at each graduation I attend, and every time I go to our open day, AUT LIVE. I love the vibe of our public events, where the community comes together; they embody what is distinctive and amazing about our university.
What does working here let you do that you couldn’t do anywhere else?
We have a forward-looking change programme that is exciting and challenging – I love that I get to contribute in a meaningful way to the AUT's next phase. I'm sure it will continue to build on an amazing legacy as it adapts to the changing needs of our students and communities.