Mannix College welcomes new Dean of Students & Vice Principal

Mannix College is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Tracy Clelland as our new Dean of Students & Vice Principal, following an international search conducted in partnership with Perrett Laver.

Tracy will formally commence on 7 July 2025, joining the College community in advance to settle into residential life and begin building connections with students, staff, and key College partners.

With extensive experience across education, research, and student support, Tracy brings a powerful mix of academic credibility, inclusive leadership, and a deep commitment to wellbeing. She most recently served as a Learning Advisor at Ao Tawhiti School and was previously an academic at the University of Canterbury, where she coordinated the Bachelor of Health Sciences program and was recognised with the 2021 University Teaching Award for her excellence in education.

As Dean of Students & Vice Principal, Tracy will oversee all aspects of student formation and support at Mannix—including orientation, safety, wellbeing, leadership development, incident response, and community culture. She will also play a key role in strategic planning and staff development, contributing to the College’s long-term vision and values-led mission.

Tracy’s academic and professional work centres on young people’s development, education, and wellbeing. Her PhD in Education explored how caregivers support learning and positive relationships in complex and changing environments. She has collaborated with national organisations to shape inclusive, student-focused resources and initiatives across the education and health sectors.

From 2021 to 2024, Tracy led Te Puāwaitanga: Beyond the Birds and Bees, a national co-design project that engaged young people in shaping relationships, consent, and wellbeing education across Aotearoa New Zealand. Her leadership in this work was marked by deep collaboration, respectful dialogue, and strong outcomes for youth engagement and educator practice.

Reflecting on her appointment, Tracy said:

“Stepping into the role of Dean of Students and Vice Principal at Mannix College is both an honour and a responsibility I’m proud to embrace. I am deeply committed to fostering a community where every student feels supported, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential. Together, we will cultivate an environment grounded in our values of care, excellence, and inclusivity—ensuring that all members of our community thrive academically, socially, spiritually, and emotionally.”

Principal Andrew Swan welcomed the appointment, saying:

“From our first conversation, Tracy’s passion, character and commitment to student life stood out. She is a warm, thoughtful and principled leader—exactly the kind of person we want guiding our students and helping shape the next chapter of Mannix College. We are excited to welcome her to our community”

Tracy will live on campus and immerse herself fully in College life—supporting our mission to provide world-class support for our residents in their journey towards graduates who are resilient, reflective, and community-minded.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Tracy to Mannix College.