Southern Cross Matters

It is said that first impressions really matter. In coming weeks, many of us will be involved in “first impressions” moments and I hope that as we ready ourselves for this, we think carefully about how we can ensure that we provide an authentically warm welcome (or welcome back) to each of our students and to help them feel comfortable and confident as members of a community that they in turn will play a part in building.

The quality of the overall experience that we are able to offer our students is a very core concern that binds us all together and is a focal point for much of the work that we will undertake together this year, as we strive to make Southern Cross University an even better place for all.

As you look forward to the excitement of the coming weeks, I hope you’ll enjoy the material contained in this edition of Southern Cross Matters. It really reflects a sense of our growing strengths and success and I hope that it gives you a real sense of pride in the University and in the trajectory that we are establishing.

I look forward to seeing you on campus as the 2025 year unfolds, and as always, please do share your suggestions for areas for focus for future editions of Southern Cross Matters - this is very helpful and most valued.

Tyrone

Domestic student numbers are also on the rise with a of 17 per cent increase in acceptance of offers to prospective students, and 16 per cent increase in fulltime students, thanks to a concerted effort by the Future Students Team.

Our most popular courses among all cohorts this year are the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Education, Master of Teaching and Diploma of Health.

In the field of research, in 2024, Southern Cross University secured over $35 million in research funding, reflecting a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. 

Highlights from the year included the inauguration of the Bee Research and Extension Lab, pioneering esports research, and significant progress in delirium research. The ARC Climate Smart Rice project made exciting progress, and the GRASP frog breeding program received substantial financial support. Nigel Andrews was honoured as Australia's top entomologist, while Renaud Joannes-Boyau made international headlines for dating the oldest known cave art in Indonesia. 

“The Reputation Uplift Program, introduced in 2024, aims to elevate the University’s international rankings by establishing strategic partnerships, fostering collaborations, and attracting a higher number of students. These initiatives, along with an emphasis on high-quality research outputs and impactful publications, have already yielded positive results,” Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Spongberg said.

The research office is also developing new online platforms to streamline support for animal ethics processes and external funding applications, ensuring researchers are equipped with essential tools for success. 

Professor Spongberg is feeling positive about a new year of research: “Looking ahead to 2025, Southern Cross will continue to enhance research support, expand collaborations, and invest in initiatives that bolster our research capabilities and global reputation.” 

“It’s an honour to represent SETAC,” said Professor Reichelt-Brushett. “And humbling to be elected to this position by some of the world’s most esteemed environmental scientists. I’m looking forward to leading the organisation next year as we face really urgent issues around climate change and environmental pollution.”

Born and raised in Australia, Dr Del Vecchio travelled to Italy for the first time to attend the award ceremony. He visited the land of his ancestors, immersed in the traditions of the Puglia region and discovered the beauty of Rignano Garganico, a picturesque town in the Gargano National Park. 

Bravo, Luke! 

“Our passion for psychology drives us to create innovative and inclusive learning experiences that empower every student to succeed,” Associate Professor Yoxall said. 

Psychology student Olivia Noffke exemplifies this excellence, earning the 2023 Student of the Year award for her academic achievements and role as a youth worker. In 2025, she’ll continue to thrive as she begins her Honours with the University. 

“My degree has been invaluable in my work,” Olivia said. 

“When I’m supporting a child through a crisis, I can apply what I’ve learned to help them feel heard and understood. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

Since 2023, the Bachelor of Psychological Science degree has led the way with a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) model, eliminating the need for traditional textbooks and saving students up to $4,000 in expenses.

Education and Social Sciences also secured a top 400 ranking, and Physical Sciences rose to the top 500. Life Sciences continues to shine in the top 300, which measures Agriculture and Forestry, Biological Sciences and Sport Science.

“It’s another fabulous result in the rankings. We are a small regional university, but we are shining on the world stage,” said Professor Mary Spongberg, the University’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

“Southern Cross University was well represented at the Summit. Professors Jon Wardle and Christina Aggar shared a seminar with researchers from our amazing partner KLE University, where we send around 30 nursing students every year for rural placement,” said Professor Spongberg.

This seminar, Diversifying Knowledge Streams to Address Future Challenges, explored how developing new ways of thinking through cross-cultural collaboration and learning from traditional and Indigenous knowledge can create a two-way exchange of knowledge between institutions.

“Different ways of knowing and doing are going to be essential to addressing the problems of a rapidly changing world. Whether this is learning from traditional practices of health or agriculture to address contemporary needs or learning from how we differently solve shared challenges like rural health and aged care, there is so much a truly bi-directional partnership with India and Australia can teach us,” said Professor Wardle.

Along with Professors Spongberg, Wardle and Aggar, Southern Cross Regional Manager – South Asia, Middle East and Africa Subhi Pradhan enjoyed the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas at a special networking lunch with Southern Cross’ Indian university partners from Surat, Mumbai and Belgavi, and key student agents from South India.

2024 Teaching Excellence Award recipients: 

Outstanding Teaching Awards

These awards are presented to current continuing, fixed-term and casual academic staff from each Faculty and College who are recognised in the top 10 per cent of teachers based on student feedback. These outstanding teachers have received consistently high student feedback across the previous 12 months.

Faculty of Business, Law and Arts: Dr Georgina Dimopoulos, Dr Jonathan Harlen, Associate Professor Jennifer Nielsen, Dr Meri Oakwood and Kylie Rose.

Faculty of Education: Tim Barringham, Dr Olivera Kamenarac, Joanna Merton, Julia Meyers and Greg Moon.

Faculty of Health: Sherryn Bailey, Deborah Calleja, Lisa Couzens, Gabby La Forest, Willa Maguire, Dr David Reilly and Dr Louise Whitaker.

Faculty of Science and Engineering: Professor Symon Dworjanyn, Dr Reza Ghanbarzadeh, Professor Scott Johnston, Associate Professor Mick Rose and Dr Debra Stokes.
Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples: Bek Lehner

SCU College: Dr Michael Brickhill 

Educational Partnerships Board (The Hotel School): Sandra Clark and Dr Donna Little.

Awards for Research Excellence

The work of our researchers has attracted extraordinary amounts of funding and interest from around the globe. Researchers have collaborated with dozens of industry and other university partners, driving projects that span hemp to healthcare and coral to classrooms. 

Presenting the 2024 Southern Cross University Research Award recipients:

Early Career Researchers: Dr Carla Valerio (Faculty of Education), Dr Luke Jeffrey (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Dr Kylie Day  (Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples) and Dr Alana Gall (National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine).

Mid-Career Researchers: Dr Kyle Bennett (Faculty of Health), Dr Ruben Laukkonen (Faculty of Health), Dr Dexter Dela Cruz  (Faculty of Science and Engineering).

Senior Researchers: Dr Lewes Peddel (Faculty of Education) and Professor Mark Hughes (Faculty of Health).

Outstanding Contribution to Impact
Industry: Dr Brendan Walker-Munro (Faculty of Business, Law and Arts), Professor Bronwyn Barkla (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Professor Tobias Kretzchmar (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Dr Szabolcs Lehoczki Krsjak (Faculty of Science and Engineering) and Professor Terry Rose (Faculty of Science and Engineering).

Community: Dr Laura Rodriguez Castro (Faculty of Education), Professor Marie Hutchinson (Faculty of Health), Dr James Sippo (Faculty of Science and Engineering) and Dr Antonia Canosa (Centre for Children and Young People).

Inspiring Researchers – Dean's Nomination: Dr Georgina Dimopoulos (Faculty of Business, Law and Arts), Professor David Lynch (Faculty of Education), Associate Professor Christina Aggar (Faculty of Health) and Professor Nigel Andrew (Faculty of Science and Engineering).

2024 Professional Awards

The Vice-Chancellor's Professional Staff Recognition Awards celebrate outstanding professional staff who provide exceptional service, who are bold innovators, who are passionate about safety and who show strong leadership.

Exceptional Service
Tim Millhouse (Marketing, Digital and Communications), Rozan Hagan (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Geoff Cottee (Property Services), Wan Bradridge (Travel Services), Donna Simon (Faculty of Health), Lyndall Appleby ( Financial Performance Services) Evelyn Barnes (Office of Business Intelligence and Quality), Lachlan Suter (Faculty of Health), Toni Bedford (Student Administration Services), Vicky Baxter Wright (Governance Services) and Emma Doherty (Office of the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor).

Professional Experience Team - Faculty of Education
Sandra Kenny, Judy De Vries, Emily Bedford, Keyarrah Sweetwater-Delauney, Ella Hegh, Emilee Devine, Jenny Ellis, Renee Hogben, Tiffany Cutter, Alison Adams, Tina Nguyen, Isabella Smith, Vicki Hennessy and Margaret Fletcher.

CHEC Cafe Team
Amy Stevens, Shane Wilson, Taylor Stevens, Bethany Sigle, Nikki Hughes, Lenore Jones and Charles Roach. 

Improvement and Innovation Excellence
Andrew Cleary (Technology Services), Maureen Bezanson (University Library), Annie Zorzo (Academic Portfolio Office), Connor Clare (Office of Business Intelligence and Quality), Narisu Zaetta (Southern Cross Global), Rob Baglin (Faculty of Health),

3D Printing Innovation Project – Science & Allied Technical & Laboratory Team – Faculty of Health
Lachlan Suter, Kristy Barker, Nathan Whiting, Juan Arrieta Terreros and Joshua Targett.

Safety Excellence
Simon Evans (Property Services), Nadia Toppler (Southern Cross Analytical Research Services), Joanne Cooper (Faculty of Business, Law and Arts), Taylor Newling-Walkden (Student Support Services), and Sophie Andrews (Workplace Relations).

NMSC - Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP) Team – Faculty of Science & Engineering
Daniel Harrison and Ceylena Holloway.

Leadership and Team Excellence
Kate Kennedy-Ripon (Future Students & Outreach), Jaci Newland (Future Students & Outreach), Joseph Donnelly (Careers and Employability), Helen Wolton (Graduate School), Christine Martin (Southern Cross Global), Alison Graham (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Alice De Innocentiis (Student Success Services), Graham Lancaster (Southern Cross Analytical Research Services) and Alarnah McKee (Office of the Vice President (Future Students & Outreach).

National Centre of Naturopathic Medicine – Administration Team – Faculty of Health
Renea Duignan, Louise Casson, Nicole Steel and Natasha Cook.

Three months later she kicked off 2025 in her new role, based at the Gold Coast campus.

“I’ve worked in excellent institutions with great teams before, but I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a team this high functioning, stable and happy. Everyone is driven and wants to achieve success. They are motivated to do things differently, and there’s such a positive culture here not just within my own team but more broadly in the portfolio and across the university,” Jenni said.

As an experienced leader in international and domestic student recruitment, Jenni brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the higher education sector across Australia and the UK. Some of the proudest moments of her career include working with faculties to centralise international admissions at Nottingham Trent to significantly reduce turnaround times and increase satisfaction for prospective students, as well as spearheading the implementation of multiple intakes a year, to compete with the Australian market and key intake timings.

Her top priorities at SCU include supporting her team to drive growth; working in partnership with SCU Ventures, The Hotel School, and Admissions, for our joint success and looking for further portfolio development opportunities.

“What my team member Narisu Zaetta has done in identifying a market need for a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education to drive growth was spectacular. Continuing to seek further opportunities of this nature is certainly top of mine and the team's priorities for the coming year. 

“I will also identify collaborative research opportunities between the University and GCUH,” she said.
Allyson completed her undergraduate nursing degree, Master of Clinical Science (Mental Health Nursing) at Southern Cross and is soon to graduate with her PhD. Her research covers trauma-informed care in mental health settings.

Also joining the nursing team is Lecturer Jodie Deakin who has a passion for partnership. Her PhD is about partnering with patients to prevent pressure injuries during hospitalisation and she feels privileged to be partnering with the next generation of nurses. 

“As a unit assessor, I partner with students, colleagues and healthcare professionals to ensure our students have a first-class experience on their nursing journey, whether here on campus, in labs and tutorials, or on clinical placement in hospitals and healthcare facilities,” she said.

Nursing lecturers Tyson Perrin and Dr Hancy Isaac and will also be based at our Gold Coast campus, bringing their expertise in clinical education, research in respiratory and critical care nursing.

Welcome to the team!