Hucknall born woman to receive OBE for her services to education

Mandie Stravino is the chief Executive of the Derby College Group (DCG) and she believes in the power of Further Education Colleges to improve students’ life chances, and have a positive impact on social mobility, is rooted in her own personal experience.

Born in Hucknall before moving to Kimberley, Mandie chose to continue her post-16 education college. She valued the experience as not only did she achieve high grades across the board, she also developed wider skills and attributes which prepared her to progress and succeed in work, life and higher education.

She subsequently attended both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University where she achieved her MBA at Nottingham Business School.

Mandie’s career in further education started 25 years ago at the Nottingham College.

In 1998 she made the move to Derby City and spent four years in various college management and leadership roles.

In March 2002 she joined Derby College (now DCG) and in 2012 she was promoted from her strategy role to CEO with a clear mandate to improve educational standards and financial performance.

Under her tenure, the College has moved to a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and during its 2016 inspection, provision for students with high needs was graded ‘outstanding’ with employer engagement recognised as excellent practice. This rating was confirmed, by Ofsted, in December 2019.

During her time as CEO, Mandie also held a number of non-executive and governance roles including: being appointed, as one of seven principals from colleges across the UK, to the DfE’s Principals Reference Group; chair of the CBI Regional Council, a member of various economic development leadership boards and as a governor at Heymann Primary School in West Bridgford.

She said: “I feel fortunate every day to lead an amazing college with the sole purpose of providing our students with an exceptional education as a catalyst for them to be successful in work, life and society.

“In addition, I have been honoured to work with colleagues from across the sector, and the DfE, to celebrate the further education sector’s valuable work in changing people’s lives for the better, identify challenges and potential solutions and discuss emerging policies and opportunities. Therefore, to receive this award for doing what I am privileged to do every day is truly overwhelming.

“I have been extremely humbled to be recognised, particularly in these unprecedented times, in the company of so many altruistic citizens who have had such a significant impact on our communities.

“The work that has been recognised, by this honour, would not have been possible without the immense support of my remarkable partners at work and home. I thank them sincerely for the opportunity to engage in this work and therefore receive this personal accolade.”

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