I came to Murray Edwards from a corporate hospitality background and I was eager to see how different the University world was compared to the sites I had spent the better part of my career operating in. With some trepidation I was leaving a hugely demanding position with a major sporting venue to contribute to the day to day life of a student community as the ‘Front of House Operations Manager’.
My first thoughts about Murray Edwards after my initial few weeks were how welcoming everyone I encountered was and I felt that the College as a whole had a very open and relaxed feeling of inclusiveness. I quickly came to realise that for most of the students who stay with us be it for one or multiple years we are a home-from-home and the service that the Catering team provide is hugely important, whether this is ‘Formal Halls’, dinner, cafeteria, social events or just a chat in passing.
It became very obvious that meal times were not just a chance for a well-earned break from study or supervisions but also a vital social opportunity for our students and college community. This is always evident at our popular Saturday Brunch service where we can see over 500 students, many not from Murray Edwards! It is always a nod of approval when the student body feel keen to bring guests to meal times.
In the short time I have been here I have begun to understand how empowering an all inclusive supportive College environment can be, I have witnessed prospective students and first years blossom into confident women, who will have the ability and self-belief to achieve their goals, and graduating students who are keen to get out into the world and make a difference. I am proud that in some small way the Catering Department become part of their rewarding journeys.
Teri Byrne
Front of House Operations Manager