Leadership for the First Year Experience: The evolving role of personal tutors

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56433/qm4sfy41

Keywords:

First year experience, personal tutoring, early engagement

Abstract

This vignette examines how Personal Tutors (PTs) can act as ‘champions’ for supporting the first-year experience and enhancing student engagement and retention within a large undergraduate Business Management programme. With increasing marketisation and diverse student cohorts, proactive support is essential. Many first year and direct-entry students face barriers to assessment submission including uncertainty about processes and limited awareness of support available. To address this, a streamlined system was introduced using Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) data to identify low engagement and trigger timely outreach. Complimentary measures, such as a centralised MS Teams’ channel, improved communication between Programme Leader, PTs and Module Leaders.

These changes aimed to make the PT role more meaningful, reduce non-submissions and foster a supportive culture. Early adoption by other programmes suggests wider applicability. Future evaluation will explore the long-term impact and stakeholder perceptions to refine practices and strengthen institutional strategies for student success.

Author Biographies

  • Pauline Herriot, Glasgow Caledonian University

    Pauline Herriot (SFHEA) is Programme Lead for BA (Hons) Business Management and a lecturer at Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University. Her teaching relates to operations management, supply chain management, and procurement. She is also a Personal Tutor for Direct Entrant and continuing students

  • Dr. Peter Duncan, Glasgow Caledonian University

    Dr Peter Duncan is a Senior Lecturer at the Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow Caledonian University. His teaching relates to strategic management, innovation, and research methods. He is one of the school’s Postgraduate Research Tutors, and a Personal Tutor for the BA (Hons) Business Management

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Published

2026-06-09

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (part 2) (2026): EFYE Special Issue

Section

Vignette

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Copyright (c) 2026 Pauline Herriot, Dr. Peter Duncan

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