WHEN Elaine McMahon took over the reins at Hull College, she knew it was destined to become a national force in further education.
Now, after eight-and-a-half years as chief executive and principal, she is retiring, having steered it to an outstanding rating from Ofsted as well as a host of other national accolades.
She came to the city in 2005 after spending three-and-a-half years as the principal and chief executive of Salford College.
"It was a smaller college," said Dr McMahon. "It was recognised for being in financial difficulties.
"I achieved success there, making it a very viable college.
"I was then looking for a college where I could add value, a college that had ambitions to become outstanding and a very strong belief in the need to widen participation and improve opportunities for all.
"Hull was the opportunity to take a college that was doing all right, but could do really well for this area."
When she started, it was a very different Hull College.
With a £55m spend on the estate under her guidance, the college, which is based in Queens Gardens, now has several buildings across the city, both leased and owned.
In 2005 when the college bought the faculty of Art and Design from the University of Lincoln, which was beginning a phased move out of Hull.
The college also had funds for its Cannon Street site and the newest building, the Alex Henderson building, which specialises in courses in the renewables sector.
Then, in 2008 it bought Harrogate College from Leeds Metropolitan University.
"That gave us a position in North Yorkshire," said Dr McMahon.
"As a result of acquisitions and organic growth we expanded by 500 per cent and developed a lot of foundation degrees and masters degrees."
Apart from acquisitions of its own, Hull College has branched out and helped other educational institutions across the city.
It was instrumental in the opening of Hull's Studio School, which is based next to the Queens Gardens college.
It is also the sponsor of one of the city's first academy schools, Sirius, in Anlaby Park Road South.
"One of the things I am really thrilled about was the decision to sponsor Sirius Academy," said Dr McMahon. "It is a big success,
"We have worked in partnership with the academy and it is in the top 5 per cent most improved in the country."
With a growing estate and new challenges, student numbers doubled.
There are now 31,000 students on a range of courses in Hull.
More students study at the college's Goole and Harrogate sites.
But for Dr McMahon the aim was always to put Hull College on the map and turn it into an outstanding college that provided education for all.
In 2008, Ofsted said it was just that, outstanding.
"The fact we have put Hull on the map has been significant," said Dr McMahon.
"We have had a huge amount of success, which has been recognised.
"We put the college on a national platform."
And she was quick to praise the dedication of staff to making the college the success it is.
"The staff work so hard," said Dr McMahon.
"It is very difficult to record just how much goodwill and how much they put in over and above. When we were awarded outstanding status, it demonstrated just how good they are.
"We know our students are getting a good deal, and our staff are being recognised as well and that extra effort they have put in has been rewarded."
She will now move back to her native Cheshire, but says she will be keeping a fond eye on Hull while taking some well-earned time for herself.
"I will miss it. Hull is a tremendous place to be and I will keep up with what is going on," she said.
"I plan on taking a couple of weeks to reflect now. I have been working at least part-time since I was 13. So I want to stop and get a sense of what it is like not working.
"I would like to continue in the sector, but I will stop to think about things.
"In your spring you should learn, in your summer you should teach, and in your autumn you should enjoy – that was a quote I heard. I turn 60 in a couple of weeks and I plan on enjoying things."
Dr McMahon will be replaced as chief executive by Gary Warke, who officially starts next month.
A principal, Graham Towse, has also been appointed as the senior management team is restructured.
