Rate My Professor Sandra French

Sandra French serves as the Internal Communications Adviser in the Communications Office at the University of Otago, a role she assumed upon joining the university in 2023. She holds an MBA specializing in marketing communications, having moved to New Zealand in 2012 specifically to pursue further postgraduate studies. Bringing nearly two decades of professional experience to her position, French has worked in a variety of communication and marketing roles across multiple industries, including tertiary education. Her professional approach centers on the vital role of communication in enhancing organizational culture, promoting collaboration, and supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing within the institution.

Through her contributions to the University of Otago Newsroom, Sandra French has produced numerous feature articles known as 'kōrero,' which spotlight staff stories, research highlights, student experiences, and community initiatives. Key publications include 'Harnessing the power of mind wandering' (May 2023), which details a student's highlight educational journey at Otago; 'IT internships help bridge study to work gap' (May 2023); 'Leading the way in 'community first' research' (August 2024); 'Otago staff spread holiday cheer' (December 2024), featuring interviews with staff organizing charitable collections across campus; 'Living through giving' (September 2025); 'There and back again' (May 2025), where on the eve of his retirement, she caught up with Richard for a trip down memory lane about his journey to and time at the university; 'Interpreting the world through statistics' (November 2025); 'Cultivating a fresh perspective' (December 2025); 'Half a million books and counting' (March 2026); and 'A job for a lifetime' (March 2026), profiling Don's career spanning five decades and the changes he has witnessed. Additionally, her work appears in publications like Te Aka Taura student zine. These articles reflect her commitment to documenting and celebrating the diverse facets of university life. French also participates as a member of the Staff Women’s Caucus Committee, contributing to efforts supporting women staff members.