The Mayor of Carlisle (2025-2026), Councillor Jeanette Whelan

It is such a joy to watch graduates come to Carlisle to receive their awards and degrees in education and in healthcare.

I'm a former teacher so it is marvellous to see people qualifying as teachers and healthcare workers in the city.

It's key that we have a university in Carlisle. When I was growing up, there was no university at all. I had to apply for other universities elsewhere.

Now that we have our own university, local residents can access higher levels of education and we can attract people from further afield – it is key to our city and economy.

I look forward to the University of Cumbria and its partners including Cumberland Council continuing their work together, delivering those higher levels of education and skills to our city.

This will lead to more skills and jobs for the workforce, particularly at this time when we have major investments and projects such as the Garden Village for St Cuthbert’s.

I also look forward to the University of Cumbria expanding further, helping to attract more businesses to our city.

WATCH: Councillor Jeanette Whelan, speaking at University of Cumbria July 2025 graduations