Announcement: next Principal

Appointment of Dr Tiffany Donnelly BA (Hons) MA PhD as next Principal of The Women’s College

On behalf of the Council of The Women’s College within the University of Sydney, I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Tiffany Donnelly as the fourteenth Principal of our College. Following a thorough selection process Dr Donnelly was chosen as the outstanding candidate to lead The Women’s College through its next phase of growth and development. The College Council has affirmed its unanimous confidence in Dr Donnelly.

Dr Donnelly will succeed Dr Amanda Bell AM, who retires at the end of 2019. Dr Bell has led the College with visionary leadership for the past seven years, and will leave our College in a very strong position for Dr Donnelly to advance her ideas. Dr Donnelly has worked alongside Dr Bell on key projects such as developing new academic, leadership and professional development programs for the students; the completion of the new landmark Sibyl Centre; increased alumnae engagement, and fundraising for new scholarships and campus improvements. Dr Donnelly will continue to build on these, and further enhance the College’s great strengths and reputation.

With a strong academic background and an empathetic approach to the students’ academic care, Dr Donnelly is well placed to respond to changing contemporary needs of young women within a dynamic university sector. She has been the Vice Principal of the College for eighteen years and as such, knows many of our alumnae personally and is held in high regard by both our College community and our wider stakeholders, including the intercollegiate community and the University of Sydney. She is ready to lead the College across all key areas that the role of Principal demands and will be supported by an experienced and loyal staff.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed as the next Principal of the College”, Dr Donnelly said. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead a prestigious institution which has a long history of providing transformative experiences for young women.”

Dr Donnelly and her husband Paul have lived on site at College for almost two decades. Their two sons, Myles and Piers, have grown up at College during that time. Dr Paul Donnelly is an Honorary Fellow in Residence of the College and Deputy Director of Museums at the University of Sydney. The family looks forward to continuing their lives as part of The Women’s College community.

Please join with me in congratulating Dr Donnelly on her appointment as Principal of The Women’s College. I look forward to this historic next step in the advancement of our College in preparing young women for their future.

Samantha Gavel
Chair