Welcome to your Alumni Community update for February 2026. 

In this month’s update, you’ll find our Graduation Gallery, exciting developments on our Exton and Queen’s Park sites, an Alumni Archive discovery, the latest news, and much more.

You may have previously known us as ‘DARO’ – the Development and Alumni Relations Team. The team has changed considerably over recent years, we’ve bid farewell to some colleagues and welcomed new ones, and we’ve also had to prioritise roles and responsibilities.

So, it’s a great opportunity for us to get re-acquainted! Your Alumni Team sits within the ‘Communications’ Directorate and we all wear many hats supporting various areas of work that fall within Communications. However, we are dedicated to ensuring we maintain a relationship with you, celebrating your time at Chester and all that you have achieved since! 

Your Alumni Team is made up of:

• Louise Wood – Communications Director: Louise now oversees the overall Alumni activity.
• Megan Kemp – Development Officer (currently on maternity leave): Megan is responsible for Development which includes things like our regular giving, donations, legacies and awards.
• Michal Orlowski – Alumni Communications Assistant: Michal is the engine room of getting out the regular communications to our wonderful alumni community and also social media posts as well as helping to keep our website pages up to date.
• Amy Hultum – Communications & Events Assistant: Amy has taken on the amazing role of leading on our Alumni Archive! Amy has a real passion for looking after and cataloguing all the amazing artifacts we have within our collection, keep an eye on our social media posts to see the latest finds.

Our Graduation Gallery from the November 2025 ceremonies is now live!

Take a moment to relive the achievements and special moments from our latest cohort of graduates. If you’re sharing anything on social media, make sure to tag us in! (Instagram: @chesteralumni & Facebook: University of Chester Alumni Network)

Happy photo hunting!

We’re thrilled to share some major updates coming to two of our University sites. Funding from the Office for Students is allowing us to invest in our facilities and enhance the student experience across the Exton Park and Queen’s Park sites. 

Chester Business School, Queen’s Park 

A brand-new FinTech (Financial Technology) Lab is coming to Chester Business School, which will mimic a fast-paced immersive, trading floor style experience for our Finance and Accounting students.

Binks, Exton Park

We’re replacing the roof of the Binks building and creating two new, large teaching spaces on the second floor. These will become modern, accessible lecture theatres used by students from a range of courses.

Outdoor Seating Area, School of Education, Exton Park

We’re building an innovative outdoor seating area outside the School of Education which will be used for teaching, workshops, performances and campus events (including Varsity!).

A large screen will also be installed on the front of the building for outdoor cinema experiences and live streams of major student events such as Graduation.

Take a look at the new mock up image showing the planned outdoor seating area, made possible through this funding.

We can’t wait to share the finished spaces with you!

Find out more about our estates work 

Remember that if you would like to help support the work of our wonderful estates team, we have a dedicated fund that you can donate or give to regularly. Our physical estate is so important to the student experience, any gift towards maintaining it and investing in it is so helpful.

We were delighted to come across a copy of The Holy Bible (above), dating from 1935, which was donated by alumni in memory of Billy King (1900). The Bible was donated on behalf of the Liverpool Branch of the Chester College Club and Billy’s many other Cestrian friends throughout the country.

His obituary in the 1955 Collegian says “his wisdom and indeed his whole life, was based on two things - his devotion to the Church and his devotion to the College. These were seen in his life as a teacher, in his home and in his many and varied public services and not least in his conduct of Community Singing, of which he was a pioneer.”.

The front cover has become detached and thanks to the generosity of alumni it has been sent for repair in Chester, we will keep you up to date with its restoration journey.

You may remember that over the past couple of years we’ve invited you to share your University stories for Valentine’s Day.

Well, by popular demand, we’re bringing it back! 

Whether you met your partner here at Chester or formed a friendship that has lasted for decades, we’d love to hear and share your story.

To get involved, simply email the Alumni Team at alumni@chester.ac.uk or upload a picture to social and tag us! (Instagram: @chesteralumni & Facebook: University of Chester Alumni Network)

We can’t wait to hear your memories!

Did you know that we have an Alumni blog on our website?

Alumni have previously written pieces about their time at the University, their standout memories and what they’ve gone on to do after graduating.

We’re always looking for Alumni blog contributors! 

If you’re interested in writing for the Alumni blog and would like more information, please email the Alumni Team at alumni@chester.ac.uk

Find out more the Alumni blog

In this month’s edition, we’re highlighting a selection of key events taking place throughout February at the University.

All alumni are warmly invited to attend.

Please note: some events may require a paid ticket, and this will usually be indicated within the event details.

For full information about upcoming University events, please visit 

University Events

• Monday 9th February 2026
• 6:30pm – 8:00pm
• School of Education, Exton Park, Chester

Medical education is rapidly transforming. 

From textbooks and traditional bedside teaching to technology-driven learning, innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are revolutionising how we view and understand the human body.

Join the University this February for an inaugural lecture by Professor Silvester Czanner, as he explores how AI personalised learning platforms are shaping the future of healthcare and training

Find out more

Are you looking to enhance your skills, increase your earning potential, or advance your career by returning to education?

Join us at our Postgraduate Open Event and explore the variety of postgraduate study options available at the University of Chester, including taught Master’s, postgraduate research, PGCE and conversion courses.

• Wednesday 25th March
• 5:30pm 
• Exton Park, Chester

You’ll have the opportunity to meet with academic staff and speak to experts from support areas, such as postgraduate finance and admissions.

Additionally, you may be eligible for our Graduate Loyalty Discount, offering 20% off qualifying postgraduate taught Master’s courses.

Find out more about our Postgraduate Open Event

• Wednesday, 25th February 2026
• 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
• School of Education, Exton Park, Chester
• Tickets: £13.27 per person

We’re delighted to share that Seed Talks has partnered with the University of Chester to host a fascinating series of public talks right here in our historic city.

The next event in the series features Dr Emily Prpa, who will explore the extraordinary role your gut plays in supporting whole body health. You may have heard that the gut is central to wellbeing, but what does it actually do, and what does a healthy gut look like? Dr Prpa will delve into the latest research on the gut microbiome and its impact on everything from immunity and hormones to skin, sleep and mental health.

The talk will shine a spotlight on the Gut–Brain axis: the two way communication system linking your digestive system and your brain. With around 90% of serotonin being produced in the gut, Dr Prpa will discuss which foods can help support mood and overall wellbeing. This microbiome masterclass will offer clear, evidence based guidance on how to nourish your body and mind through a balanced, gut friendly diet, while also dispelling common myths surrounding fad diets.

Find out more

Each month the University shares a wide range of news updates which you can follow on the website’s ‘News Page’. 

This month’s highlights include:

• Psychology podcast explores the showdown in the Traitors turret
• Student Harry to tackle Snowdon challenge in aid of a blood cancer charity
• First events revealed for the 2026 Chester Festival of Ideas

…and plenty more stories from across our University community.

Create your own Mind Plan! The NHS Every Mind Matters can help you to manage your stress, improve your sleep and feel more in control of things by creating a Mind Plan with practical tips and hints. All you need to do is to answer 5 questions. Why not give it a go?

Alumni Relations Office

T: +44 (0)1244 512477
E: alumni@chester.ac.uk
W: www.chester.ac.uk/alumni

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