Dr Charles Tustin.
St Margaret's College is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Charles Tustin as its new Master.
Dr Tustin has a doctorate in industrial psychology and extensive experience and leadership in tertiary education. He has been an academic teacher, a senior administrator in human resources and postgraduate administration and most recently master of Abbey College, the University's postgraduate residential college.
He will take over leadership of St Margaret's College from the retiring Master, Dr Peter Norris, on 5 December. Dr Norris has provided outstanding leadership of St Margaret's for 28 years and during this time he has built a college which provides a caring and supportive culture in which its members, the students, mature and develop as well-rounded citizens and where they can excel in their academic pursuits.
Announcing the appointment, which was made after an international search, the President of St Margaret's Council, Hamish Wixon, says that as a highly accomplished leader in the tertiary sector, and with his empathetic and enthusiastic nature, Dr Tustin is an excellent choice to lead St Margaret's.
“He has it all, academic qualifications, relevant experience and Charles and his wife Brenda have raised three great daughters.” The students, staff and College Fellows, who were intimately involved in the selection process, are delighted with Dr Tustin's appointment.
Dr Tustin excited about new role
He completed his doctorate in industrial psychology in 1991 at the University of South Africa after honours and master's degrees in commerce at Pretoria. Before moving to leadership positions in administration in the tertiary sector, he published peer reviewed papers, book chapters and several books in his field.
Dr Tustin says he is excited to be taking up the Master's role. “Dr Norris has created an outstanding college environment as is clear from the faces of the members I met during the selection process and the successes in their studies – they are good, kind people.”
He says he is looking forward to visiting secondary schools around the country telling their students about what St Margaret's has to offer them when they come to Otago. As Master of an independent college, he looks forward to continuing the excellent working relationships between the University and St Margaret's and with the other colleges.