Queen’s University has appointed Jennifer Medves as interim vice provost and executive director of Bader College, the university’s campus at Herstmonceux Castle in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Medves will remain in the position until a permanent appointment in made. Dr. Medves is a Professor Emerita from Queen’s and served as Vice-Dean (Health Sciences) and Director of the School of Nursing for 10 years before joining the Bader College last year as Director of Student Services.

The appointment follows the recent renaming of the Bader International Study Centre (BISC) to Bader College, the result of an extensive consultation process and review of the international post-secondary landscape.

“It’s a real pleasure to be asked to lead this outstanding academic institution and renowned heritage site,” Dr. Medves says. “The new name gives us an opportunity to restate our academic mission, vision, and goals as well and broaden and strengthen our connections to the local community. I look forward to furthering the excellent work that has been happening on this historic site for nearly 30 years and to welcoming the public to the 600-acre estate.”

The name Bader College showcases the campus’s connections to Queen’s University and highlights the unique on-campus and academic experience it provides to students from across the globe. The new name also honours donors Alfred and Isabel Bader who gifted the campus to Queen’s and provides an opportunity to restate their vision for the campus as a venue for educating students from around the world, as well as showcasing research strengths, and nurturing connections to both UK and local communities.

“For more than 25 years, our students attending Queen’s at Herstmonceux Castle have been provided with an immersive and unparalleled academic experience offering access to the UK and Europe right outside their door,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. “This new name will signal to the international community the importance of the Castle to our university and its pivotal role in Queen’s new global engagement strategy.”

Bader College also embodies the broader Queen’s commitment to advancing social impact and sustainability. Queen’s University recently ranked seventh globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for its work in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Recent efforts at Bader College have focused on rewilding and naturalizing the Castle estate to help cultivate and preserve the natural environment and diverse species, while providing a living lab for students, staff, and members of the public.

The college provides a unique opportunity to students from both Queen’s and other international universities, featuring small class sizes, strong student supports, a vibrant community, as well as the opportunity to study and travel in the UK. Students who study at Bader College are on campus for up to one year as part of their full degree programs. First-year courses in arts, science, health sciences, and education are offered at Bader College, as well as some specialized programs for upper-year undergraduate and professional students.