The active researcher gained her Master of Nursing through EIT in 2009 and she is currently completing a doctoral degree in education. Her doctorate topic explores the preparedness and experience of New Zealand schools of nursing and nurse educators in working with Maori nursing students.
Roberts believes the school will continue to build on staff strengths in research.
"We are fostering work with stakeholders and colleagues across the institute. It's an incredibly strong school. We have a wonderful reputation with partners in practice and a capable and positive team of staff. Really, it's quite a pleasure working with them."
In her late 30s, she is one of a number of relatively young women who have been appointed to senior roles at EIT.
"The staff are open and ready for change and new ideas," Roberts said. At the same time, she acknowledges her debt to "those people who have gone before me".
She includes in that her mother, Dr Susan Jacobs, who recently retired but whose 30 years of service to EIT included heading the nursing school and, more recently, filling the role of executive dean of education, humanities and health science.
Roberts said her mother's role modelling has helped her meet the challenges in balancing the demands of her new role with family commitments.
