Chris Tofaris

Navitas, has given me the space and you know, to grow and to develop my own personal skills. It’s given me that space to flourish as an individual.

When and how did you come to be working with Navitas? 

So I started working with Navitas in June 2014. I was coming to the end of my undergraduate studies at the University of Hertfordshire. I studied English Literature and History. I remember at the time I didn’t really have a sense of direction. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had an inkling to go to teaching, but then all my course mates, they wanted to do teaching. So, naturally in my head I thought ‘I can’t follow them, I need to find my own path’. 

And then I ended up seeing a job advertised in the university’s career hub website. It was for a student services officer. So, I went for the job. And at the time, I’ll be completely honest, I knew nothing about Navitas. I knew nothing about HIC. I didn’t even know pathway providers existed. So I did a bit of research, seemed quite interesting to me. I like the university setting in general. Had the interview, unfortunately I wasn’t successful. So, then my plan was to do a full time MA, also at the University of Hertfordshire. But then a couple weeks later, I received a call from the then CDP who offered me the position of Academic Officer. I gladly accepted and I’ve been here now just over 10 years. I started in June 2014, so haven’t looked back since. 

What is one of your favourite memories working at Navitas? 

My favourite memories at Navitas, I’d say I’ve got a few. The first one would be the friendships I’ve made over the years. So, I started in June 2014, so just over ten years now. And, I’ve kept in contact with people that worked at the College, at HIC at the time, to now. So, we go out for dinner and drinks and stuff like that. But I think that’s, you know, it’s quite a testament to Navitas that we focus not only on the professional setting, but also on, you know, personal stuff and, you know, getting to know colleagues and it’s a culture where you get enriched by learning about other people and naturally you become friends. So that to me it’s, it’s unique. 

The second favourite memory, I’d say it comes every semester where we have periods of, you know, enrolment, it’s busy and we have reports due and it’s very, very busy with all the new students arriving. But the way the team gets together and you know, we have a common goal at the forefront of our minds and you know, there’s no egos. It’s just everyone pitches together. The atmosphere at the College, yes, it’s busy, but also the atmosphere that’s created, it’s, I really like it and it’s really unique, to me, I think. And that makes coming into work, despite it being so busy, quite enjoyable. And that to me, I always value that. 

And the final memory…it’s quite recent, is when we came back from the pandemic. So, at the time we were coming back, it felt like we were a brand-new college, like starting from scratch. So, a group of us, we had to come back early. We had to do, you know, the signage on the floor, the posters on the wall, the one-way systems and we were all in, you know, uncharted territory. We’ve never been in this position before. But the way everyone came together, it had a real family feel to it. So it wasn’t…it went beyond work and you know, and we all bonded at that time and it was brilliant, like, just to see the College staff all come together. That to me that will live with me forever. 

How has working at Navitas made an impact on your life?  

I think Navitas has made an impact from my life because when I started in June 2014, had a lot more hair than I do now. But joking aside, I’d say I’ve grown, not just professionally, on a personal level as well. I’ve developed into a, I’d say more rounded, I’d like to think, more rounded person. For example, June 2014 to now, if I compare myself, I was very shy, very. Like, even doing something like this, I would never do it. Like it wouldn’t cross my mind. I wouldn’t offer, like I wouldn’t, just no. But I think Navitas, has given me the space and you know, to grow and to develop my own personal skills and outside, you know, professionalism and personal level. It’s given me that space to flourish as an individual. And I think testament again to Navitas, I’ve developed as a person overall and that I will take away with me forever. 

What are your key professional achievements during your time at Navitas? 

I’d say my key professional achievements at Navitas would be my current role. So, at the moment, I’m an Acting Director of Academic and Student Services. If you told me ten years ago that I’d be in this position, never would I have believed you. I started off as an Academic Officer. You know, this was meant to be my graduate job. It was meant to be, you know, something that saw me get through my MA and then maybe I’d find my feet in the world.  

But working here, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I like the atmosphere. I like campus life. I’ve stayed, you know, for 10 years and it’s a testament, you know, to the colleagues I work with, to the people, staff, students, university partner, colleagues. It’s been, it’s been really enjoyable to be honest. And people don’t stay at the College for or even any place of work if they don’t enjoy it for so many years. And for me, I’ve been extremely lucky. I’ve had so much support from, you know, line managers, directors, heads. It’s been wonderful. 

And you know, I still, to be honest, I can’t believe that I’m in the position I’m in, but honestly, I’m truly humbled. I really like it and just the overall atmosphere in the College has just been brilliant for all these years. And I’d say that would be my greatest achievement at Navitas.