Program Leaders

Meet the Programme Leaders

We are delighted you are considering Croydon University Centre to fulfil your higher education ambitions.

Did you know we have been delivering university degrees and higher national diplomas for more than over 30 years, right here in Croydon? We really pride ourselves on being able to offer these courses to you. Whether you are local, come from afar, have just left school or are returning to education - your journey starts here.

We have a great team of academics ready to impart knowledge and challenge you.

Our lecturers are subject experts and many have years of experience in working in industry and as such you are in good hands to gain valuable knowledge and insight from them. Our Programme Leaders have designed knowledge-building, thought-provoking and current curriculums to enhance your knowledge and understanding of key subjects within your chosen field.

If you are unsure if this is the university for you, please come to one of our Open Events to talk to a member of our team.

Miemie Neethling-Taylor Head of Higher Education

Dr Pauline Aweto

Programme Lead, Public Health and Social Care

Pauline is the Programme Lead teaching Public Health and Social Care, an area she has great passion for. Modules on this degree include Ethical Issues and Decision Making, Health Promotion, Social Policy and Legislation, Managing Services and Frameworks for Public Health and Social Care. Pauline received her PhD in Philosophy from the Pontifical Salesian University Rome. She went on to write extensively in her areas of interest and has published four books including ‘The Sound of Silence’ and ‘The Changing Landscape of Christianity in Africa’.

Aliya Mullani

Programme Lead, Business and Management Programmes Aliya Mullani is the Programme Leader for Business and Management programmes. Aliya holds a postgraduate degree in Strategic Business Management and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute. She is a long-time member of the academic team at Croydon University Centre and leads the programme management with an expert team of academics and industry professionals. Her particular research interests are consumers’ increased use of social media platforms and its effects on bushiness.

Lucia Guetcherian

Programme Lead for degree programme on Criminology, Psychology and Social Justice (CPSJ)

Lucia’s specialist interests are critical criminology and social justice, and how inclusive and relevant education has the power to change the world. She is passionate about creating spaces and resources for students from diverse academic and social backgrounds, opening discussions about education and empowerment, the source of knowledge, how it is taught, whose voices are silenced and how this can change. Lucia wants to form a partnership between the University Centre and prison, to deepen students’ understanding of crime and

justice issues. She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Lisa Fitches

Programme Lead for Early Childhood Studies

Lisa leads Early Childhood Studies, a current and innovative course designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the early-years professional domain. Lisa has several teaching qualifications to her name including EYTS and a postgraduate degree in Education from the University of Sussex. She is a professional member of SET with a keen research interest in developing children’s identity. Her particular research interests are construction of children’s identity, discourses surrounding school readiness and heutagogy, andragogy and the adult learner.