National citations awarded for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Southern Cross University has received four national Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.

The winners, announced this week, will each receive Citations worth $10,000 at the 2011 Australian Awards for University Teaching ceremony at the Sydney Opera House on August 16.

The awards recognise and reward the diverse contributions made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning. Citations are awarded for long-standing commitment and contribution to the quality of student learning and to improving the overall student experience.

The Southern Cross University Citation recipients have provided learning experiences which engaged and inspired students through community and work integrated activities. They have empowered students from the diverse disciplines of environmental sciences, information technology and tourism to succeed in their studies and beyond.

The winners are:

Dr David Lloyd and Dr Kristin den Exter, from the School of Environmental Science and Management, for sustained innovative approaches to authentic learning in support of a trans-disciplinary discourse in environmental science and management.

Dr Kathryn Taffs, from the School of Environmental Science and Management, for creating a pathway to a profession; using community engagement to motivate, inspire and prepare students for careers in environmental science.

The Work Integrated Learning Team from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management for pioneering and sustaining student-centred, transformative, work-enriched experiential learning opportunities in tourism and hospitality management. Teams members are: Ms Andrea Boyle, Ms Leanne Baker, Ms Julia Caldicott, Ms Joanne Cooper, Ms Vashti Stival, Ms Maree Walo, Ms Sarah Biersteker, Ms Rebecca Brown, Ms Sharen Nisbet and Dr Matthew Lamont.

Ms Raina Mason, Mr Tim Comber and Ms Joanne Phythian, from the Southern Cross Business School, for successfully reaching out and empowering current and future female students to pursue Information Technology studies.

Professor Bill MacGillivray, Acting Vice Chancellor, congratulated all the recipients on their success.

“This is a wonderful achievement for these staff and demonstrates our commitment to providing rich and engaging learning experiences for our students,” Professor MacGillivray said.

“All recipients have demonstrated rigorous, scholarly evaluation of their practice and its effectiveness and they have been judged nationally by their peers to be outstanding in engaging students in learning.

“SCU is rightly proud of its staff and I congratulate all Citation winners.”

Photo: Year 9 Coffs Harbour High School students take part in a Women in Technology Girls Day, organised by Raina Mason at the Coffs Harbour campus.