Rate My Professor Claire Ramsay

Claire Ramsay is a long-serving professional staff member at the University of Otago, boasting over 16 years of dedicated service following her studies as a university student. Her extensive career trajectory demonstrates remarkable versatility and unwavering commitment across multiple divisions and departments. Upon graduating, she began in the Division of Humanities and Te Tumu. She advanced to Director of Administration at the Otago Business School, where in 2015 she was appointed Asia Pacific chair for Partners in International Business. Ramsay then contributed to the Faculty of Law's main office for nearly five years starting around 2012, before transitioning in 2016 to Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Willis.

In this pivotal role, she delivered outstanding administrative support, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting the Strategic Emergency Management Group daily. Approximately two years before 2023, she shifted to Recruitment Coordinator in Organisational Development within the Human Resources Division, further enhancing departmental successes through her expertise. Currently, Claire Ramsay serves as Executive Assistant to the Director of Property Services and Campus Development. Her professionalism has earned widespread acclaim for integrity, proactive problem-solving, prompt responses, detailed planning, and exemplary manaakitanga, positioning her as a cultural role model amid the University's Te Tiriti-led aspirations. In 2023, she was honoured with the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff. Nominators lauded her as an exceptional citizen whose 'contagious smile' and trustworthiness span all organizational levels, with comments such as 'We need more people like Claire,' 'Her integrity is second to none,' and recognition of her ability to leverage institutional knowledge for innovative solutions. Ramsay expressed being 'super humbled and quite shocked,' attributing her success to the supportive university community she regards as a second family.