Jan Thomas Steps Down as Massey University Vice-Chancellor After Nine Years

Jan Thomas, the Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, is set to conclude her tenure at the end of this month after nine years of leadership. Throughout her time at the university, Thomas navigated various challenges, notably the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational landscape. Her successor, Professor Pierre Venter, currently the Director of Research and Development at Fonterra, will take over the role.

Reflecting on her decision to step down, Thomas expressed that it felt like the appropriate time to transition, particularly after completing several major projects. In an interview with the Manawatū Standard, she remarked, “We’ve done a lot of work around stabilising and shifting our operating models and our financial circumstances. Our rankings have lifted; our student numbers are up.” With substantial building works concluded, she believes this represents a natural punctuation point in the life of Massey University.

The period during the pandemic presented significant hurdles for the university, particularly in 2020 when international borders closed. This led to a drastic decline in fee-paying international students, which in turn affected financial stability. Massey faced a loss of $45 million in 2023, a figure that has since improved. Originally forecasted to face a $30 million loss in 2024, the university is now projected to announce a $3 million surplus, with expectations of a $10 million surplus for 2025.

Thomas highlighted the university’s adaptability as a key factor in its recovery. “We’ve really steadied the ship financially, and we’re now nimble enough to adapt to changing student numbers,” she stated. She emphasized that living within the university’s means became essential, leading to innovative revenue sources, including the establishment of a campus in Singapore.

Despite the financial turmoil, Thomas maintained a focus on what was best for the university. “There’s no silver bullet,” she explained. This period included difficult decisions, such as staff redundancies, which aimed to align the university’s workforce with current educational needs rather than historical precedents.

Thomas also faced criticism during her tenure, particularly in 2018 when she cancelled a speaking event featuring former politician Don Brash. Citing security concerns following threats on social media, she sought to avoid any perception of endorsing racist behavior. While the decision sparked controversy, Thomas later clarified that it was never about banning Brash from speaking, but rather about ensuring safety.

Under her leadership, significant investments were made, including a $160 million upgrade of the veterinary school, completed in November 2023 with the opening of the new Ngā Huia building. Thomas also focused on making Massey a Tiriti o Waitangi-led institution, fostering partnerships with mana whenua and increasing the number of Māori PhD candidates and professors through initiatives like the Kaiārahi Tiriti programme.

Originally from Perth in Western Australia, Thomas started her career as a veterinarian before moving into university management. She has become deeply invested in the transformative power of higher education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. “They’d be students that I may never see except at a graduation, but I know that some of the policies we put in place had made a difference,” she noted.

After her departure from Massey, Thomas intends to remain in Palmerston North and contribute to the local community, although she is not seeking a full-time position. Expressing her fondness for New Zealand, she stated, “It was the best choice I ever made to move here, personally and professionally.”

Thomas’s tenure at Massey University has been marked by significant achievements and challenges, culminating in a legacy of resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity. As she prepares to pass the baton to Professor Venter, she leaves behind a university poised for a promising future.