Jena Buchan - Southern Cross University

Balancing act: Jena’s mission to elevate student and community wellness at SCU

When Jena Buchan isn’t researching or teaching exercise science students at Southern Cross University, you’ll usually find her on the sun-kissed beaches of the Gold Coast - playing volleyball, surfing the waves or walking her dogs. For someone who has dedicated her career to enhancing the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of others, it’s equally important that she invests in her own. At SCU, Jena finds the balance she needs to make a real difference for our students, communities and her career. Find out how.

Passion in practice

Each July, tens of thousands of runners pin on their race bibs and nervously tie their laces at the start line of the Gold Coast Marathon. The festival-like atmosphere continues for 42.2km - a remarkable celebration of human endurance.

For Jena Buchan, an Exercise Science Lecturer and Work Integrated Learning Academic Coordinator at Southern Cross University, it is an incredible opportunity to bring SCU students and the community together to promote healthy habits for wellbeing.

On-site at the marathon, Jena joins fellow experts and students at SCU’s Recovery Hub, providing runners with free guided foam rolling, osteopath treatments and advice to support their post-race recovery.

“The Recovery Hub is a great chance for our osteopathy, naturopath, exercise science and physiology students to get real-world, hands-on experience,” Jena says. “It’s an amazing learning opportunity that goes towards their development as future industry professionals. It’s been really rewarding to be part of that and get students involved. Now, we’re looking at, how do we build this even more? How do we get more services like this to the community?”

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Jena has long been passionate about educating and supporting people in the community to enhance their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. She completed her Master’s degree and PhD in exercise treatment for oncology, and to this day, provides mobile exercise services for people during and after their cancer treatment.

Jena is also committed to enhancing the student experience. In a career spanning 10-plus years, she has worked as a lecturer and practicum coordinator at various universities. But it wasn’t until she joined Southern Cross University in 2022 that she could truly combine her passions for teaching, research and making a real impact on the community.

“I’d reached a point at my previous university where it didn’t feel like the focus was on the student experience as much anymore. I had a big passion for the learning and teaching part of academia, and at the time, SCU was working on the Southern Cross Model, which seemed very student focused. There was a real passion for the students. When a position came up, I applied, and I haven’t looked back.”

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Opportunity and ownership

Originally from the United States, Jena came to Australia in 2008 to complete her Master of Exercise Physiology. After a brief return to the US and backpacking stint around Europe, she realised she was better suited to the Aussie way of life and work.

“In the US, it’s very go-go-go. You don’t really take sick days. But in Australia, I was told off for coming to work when I was sick! It helped me recognise what balance is and how to look after my own health, which is important as a health professional.”

Based at our Gold Coast campus, Jena is dedicated to helping students across our three campuses, as well as online, find balance in the way they live and learn. She supports their health and wellbeing at every stage of their SCU journey.

“A big passion of mine is looking after yourself, and I’ve really worked to build that in for our students from orientation. I help them with breathing strategies and stress management, and try to continue that throughout their university experience.”

Jena’s days are full of variety as she balances teaching with coordinating our exercise science placement program, building community and industry relationships, and leading internal and national research projects.

Research is a significant part of Jena’s role as an Academic. She’s been involved in studies looking at enhancing the student placement experience, especially for international students, as well as embedding the consumer voice in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) management. Yet, Jena values that at SCU, she can prioritise her passion for teaching and connecting with students, and take ownership of her career.

“At SCU, you’re encouraged to do the part of academia you’re more passionate about. At a lot of bigger unis, you’re a researcher first and a teacher second. For some people, that’s amazing. Whereas at SCU, it’s easy to have that conversation of, ‘Hey I’d really like to focus on my teaching,’ or, ‘Actually, I’d like to put a bit more into my research.’ I enjoy both, and that’s celebrated here, which I think is refreshing.”

A place to be more

A keen volleyball player since high school, Jena continues to play beach volleyball competitively for state and national tours. Her partner is also a full-time volleyball coach and player, and together, they run a club at Coolangatta, often holding social activities for students with the support of SCU.

Jena also loves to hit the waves with her surfboard, and as the parent of a couple of furbabies, her life is certainly full. She values that a career at SCU is about more than just work. It’s about people, community and the life she wants to live.

“It’s a really great university that appreciates the different needs of its staff. Work-life balance means something here. And the location of our campuses is great. The Gold Coast campus is right on the beach, so it’s hard to beat the lifestyle. The Northern NSW and Coffs Harbour campuses are also amazing. It’s a great community to be part of.”