Southern Cross University celebrates 2025 Alumni Impact Award winners

Young Alumnus of the Year (Joint Winner) - Moesha Johnson
Olympic silver medallist and two-time world champion open water swimmer Moesha Johnson has come full circle, proudly returning to her Northern Rivers roots to be named Young Alumnus of the Year.

A 2020 Biomedical Science graduate and former Elite Student Athlete, Moesha has balanced sporting excellence with academic achievement.

Even on the world stage, as she sets her sights on Olympic gold in 2028, Moesha’s humility remains her hallmark.

Young Alumnus of the Year (Joint Winner) – Emily Williams

Torres Strait Islander Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science graduate (2020) Emily Williams is honoured for her distinguished service to Australia as Consul at the Consulate-General in Nouméa.

Her leadership during the 2024 New Caledonia civil unrest helped coordinate emergency evacuations for more than 500 people.

“Every time I represent Australia overseas, my culture grounds me,” Emily said. “It reminds me where I come from and why I do what I do.”

Through her work, Emily has connected with First Nations communities across the Pacific and represented Australia at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Early Career Alumnus of the Year - Grant Grierson
Curiosity and play are at the heart of great teaching for Master of Education graduate, Grant Grierson.

His robotics and engineering students are designing real-world solutions - from communication tools for refugees to AI programs detecting lung disease - guided by his philosophy that “learning should feel like discovery.”

Grant is awarded for his passion for innovation and inclusion, particularly encouraging girls in STEM, which has made him a role model for the next generation of educators.

International Alumnus of the Year - Professor Sisira Ediriweera  

Forestry ecologist, Sri Lankan university leader and community conservationist, Professor Sisira Ediriweera is recognised for his two decades nurturing both ecosystems and young scientists.

A 2013 Southern Cross PhD graduate, Professor Ediriweera’s research on rainforest biomass using LiDAR technology helped pioneer new methods in global forest monitoring.

As Dean at Uva Wellassa University, he has built research programs, restored degraded forests and mentored a generation of scientists.

Professor Ediriweera’s 2026 Fulbright Scholarship to Yale University will extend his international collaborations on sustainability and community-based conservation.

Community Impact Award – Theresa Mitchell
Founder of Agape Outreach Inc., Theresa Mitchell has transformed personal hardship into a lifeline for thousands experiencing homelessness and food insecurity across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast.

A double graduate of Southern Cross with a Bachelor and Honours in Psychological Science (2022/2023), Theresa’s approach is one of practicality and compassion.

Agape now supports more than 1,500 people each week through food rescue and meal delivery, mental health services and life-skills programs. Theresa plans to extend her impact through PhD research quantifying the true cost of homelessness. 

See more about each of our 2025 Alumni Impact Award recipients.