Connect with people as unique as you

A place of inspiration

At Southern Cross University, passion is the driving force behind everything we do. Just ask Katie McDonough, whose work is all about fostering growth, creativity and connection amongst SCU staff. 

 As our Learning and Organisational Development Coordinator, Katie designs workshops, supports leadership programs and ensures learning opportunities are engaging and impactful. But for her, it’s the people at SCU who make all the difference. 

 “I’ve just felt such an incredible opportunity at SCU to really be creative in my role. It’s being able to bring personality, fun and humour into how we work. It makes me feel really valued.” 

 This passion for innovation extends to the university’s broader culture, where collaboration and support are the norm. Katie credits SCU’s leadership and team spirit for making it such a fulfilling place to work. 

 “I work with a director who is just an outstanding leader - authentic, supportive and an inspiring mentor. In fact, the whole leadership team in my area is approachable and genuinely supportive of the work I do.” 

 Beyond her own role, Katie is continually inspired by the passion of SCU’s academics, researchers and staff. Seeing firsthand the dedication of those around her reinforces why she is so proud to be part of the university. 

 “It’s such a privilege to hear first-hand all the wonderful things our academics are doing, whether that’s in teaching or research. It just reaffirms everything we’re doing in the organisational development space to support them and the professional teams, too.” 

Connecting with community

Senior Research Fellow Cooper Schouten, affectionately known as “the bee guy” around our Lismore campus, leads international agricultural research programs across three developing countries while directing SCU's Bee Research and Extension Lab. His passion for beekeeping, which began during a scholarship trip to Timor-Leste, has evolved into groundbreaking research that supports both local and international farming communities. 

 The supportive environment at SCU has been crucial to Cooper’s pursuit of work that creates real-world impact.  

 “I feel like I have so much flexibility and choice in my work, and I love that. I have the freedom to apply for different projects that I and others in the world think are valuable and are going to create change.” 

 This freedom to pursue meaningful work shapes how Cooper approaches his role as an educator and mentor:  

 “I care about what I do. You don't have to be the most amazing teacher. You just have to care, and that's what helps me to connect to my students.” 

 His passion for creating genuine connections extends beyond the classroom through initiatives like the university's Bee Club, which brings together students, staff and community members.  

 “It's just nice to get away from your emails for 10 seconds. The Bee Club is really fun and that little bit of fun is really important. It’s fun that's genuine and organic, not curated at all.” 

People with passion  

Working out of SCU's National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) in Coffs Harbour, Dr Mandy Beasley leads a dynamic team that supports teaching and research activities across the Faculty of Science and Engineering. From managing the university’s research vessel fleet to maintaining complex seawater systems, Dr Mandy and her team are the backbone of operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly. 

 For Dr Mandy, the university’s regional setting fosters a unique environment where passion and community come together. This sense of connection extends throughout the university, creating a workplace where people genuinely care about each other’s success. 

 “The people are definitely an important part of what I enjoy about my work. I’ve got a great team here at NMSC but also in Lismore. They’re a pleasure to work with, and they make my job enjoyable just by having that collegiality. The majority of people I work with are friendly, warm and helpful. You can talk to anyone across different work units and have a really good conversation.” 

 What Dr Mandy values most about Southern Cross University is how this passion translates into real-world impact, particularly in research. 

 “People with passion - that resonates with me. Particularly, the researchers and postgraduate students. A lot of them come in, and you can see the passion on their faces. It’s in the questions they ask - you can tell they’re eager to learn."