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Our team

Professor Thomas Roche

Dean, SCU College - Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Quality)

Thomas is an Applied Linguist with more than 20 years of university teaching and academic leadership experience. With a focus on higher education curriculum design, Thomas’ work has particularly empowered students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to gain access to and succeed at university study. He is a member of the University English Centres Australia (UECA) national committee and Australian Government’s TEQSA Register of Experts for ELICOS and international education.

Associate Professor Suzi Syme

Associate Dean (Education) Academic Coordinator of Preparing for Success Program (PSP)

Associate Professor Suzi Syme is Associate Dean (Education) of SCU College and coordinates the award-winning Preparing for Success Program. With more than 30 years’ teaching experience, Associate Professor Syme’s focus is on student success and student voice. She specialises in curriculum and enabling pedagogies that empower students to reach their potential. She is an active member of the National Association of Enabling Educators - the peak body for enabling education in Australia.

Ms Sharon Leslie

Director, English Language Programs

In her role as the Director of English Language Programs, Sharon coordinates ELICOS and international pathway programs at SCU. She has worked for two decades in English language education in Australia, across sectors. Her research interests include international student engagement, online language learning and assessment and teacher identity. Sharon is a member of the NEAS Advisory Council and active in other peak sector bodies including UECA and QATESOL.

Dr Johanna Nieuwoudt

Senior Lecturer (Teaching Scholar), Coordinator of Diplomas and High School Pathways

Dr Johanna Nieuwoudt is an experienced Senior Lecturer in SCU College, where she helps students from diverse backgrounds and experiences gain skills and confidence to be successful in their future university studies. She specialises in the curriculum design and delivery of higher education pathway courses for students in high school (Year 11 & 12), pre-award programs, and diplomas. Johanna's primary research interests are in the identification of factors that may contribute to student success.

Dr Rikki Quinn

Lecturer (Teaching Scholar) and Coordinator of Diplomas

Rikki Quinn is a Lecturer (Teaching Scholar) at SCU College, teaching in to mathematics and science units in the Preparing for Success Program (PSP) and Diploma of Health. Rikki is a passionate educator focused on providing students with a framework for success in their academic studies and future careers. Her current research is focused on how Diploma programs prepare students for future success.

Dr Grant Andrews

Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

Grant is a lecturer at SCU College. He currently teaches in the units Language and Learning in your Discipline and A Culture of Dialogue. He has worked extensively in academic development. His focus as an educator is on building supportive learning communities, fostering critical dialogue and valuing diversity of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives within curricula.

Dr Sue Muloin

Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

Dr Sue Muloin has worked at universities for more than 25 years as a Course Coordinator, Lecturer, and within Equity. Her current role involves teaching within the core units of the pathway programs, with a focus on academic literacy. Sue has a passion for equity and social justice. Sue’s current research focuses on the role Grit plays in fostering resilience, motivation and academic success in diploma students.

Dr Liz Goode

Lecturer (Teaching Scholar) and Coordinator, Transition to Uni program

Liz Goode is a Lecturer (Teaching Scholar) in the Preparing for Success Program in SCU College. Her focus as an educator is to prepare and empower students from diverse backgrounds for university study in both blended and fully online modes. She is the recipient of an Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, and several Vice-Chancellor's Citations.

Dr Kerrie Stimpson

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

Kerrie is an Associate Lecturer in SCU College and currently teaches in several science and mathematics units across the Preparing for Success Program (PSP) and Transition to Uni. Her focus is on helping students from diverse backgrounds to build the confidence and skills required to be successful in their future university studies. Her current research interests are focused on the empowerment of enabling education students, especially in the areas of STEM.

Dr Michael Brickhill

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

Originally from the north-west coast of Tasmania, Dr Brickhill trained as a marine biologist in Hobart before completing a PhD investigating the impact of artificial reefs on fish communities within residential canals on the Gold Coast. Dr Brickhill has more than 10 years’ experience teaching at secondary and undergraduate tertiary level and currently teaches in the SCU College’s Diploma programs with a focus on mathematics and science.

Ms Zoe Hancock

Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

Zoe Hancock has been teaching English for more than 20 years. After teaching in Japan, she returned to Australia to complete a MA in Applied Linguistics and then taught in a number of private colleges and universities in Australia. She has also worked in the area of teacher training at the University of New England. Her areas of interest include academic literacy development, teacher training and spending time with her children.

Ms Chiaki Lawler

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

Chiaki has over 25 years of experience catering to students from diverse backgrounds and ages. She has taught at various private and government institutions in Australia and Japan. She specialises in pre and in-service teacher training as a TESOL Trainer and Assessor. Her focus as an educator is World Englishes, cross-cultural identity, and communication. At SCU, her primary role is to oversee the English Language Program and provide student support across campuses.

Mr Richard Nakane Emmerson

Associate Lecturer (Teaching Scholar)

As a teaching scholar at SCU College, Richard is involved in design and delivery of units within the English Language Program. Originally from Canberra, he completed undergraduate studies in human behavioural sciences and an M.Ed specialising in applied linguistics. In 15 years of delivering ELICOS and academic skills courses and support services within Australian universities, he has developed specific interests in psychological, cognitive and social aspects of learning.

Mrs Emily Pather

Assistant to Dean

Emily Pather provides a broad range of administrative support to the College’s Dean. In addition, the position provides administrative support to the College across a range of functions including providing advice and assistance to staff, students and members of the public, organisation of special events and workshops, secretarial support to various committees and meetings, and support to academic staff in the form of travel, contract development and maintenance.

Mrs Bronwen Graydon

Administrative Coordinator

The SCU College administration team plays an instrumental role in building positive relationships with diverse students. The teams encouraging and flexible approach helps students feel safe, valued and welcome, and focus on negotiating a work-study-life balance is crucial for students’ academic and ongoing success. Bronwen Graydon is located at our Lismore Campus

Mrs Vicki Wood

Administrative Assistant, English Language Programs

Mrs Jo Pethick

Administrative Assistant

The SCU administration team plays an instrumental role in building positive relationships with diverse students. The teams encouraging and flexible approach helps students feel safe, valued and welcome, and focus on negotiating a work-study-life balance is crucial for students’ academic and ongoing success. Jo Pethick is located at our Coffs Harbour Campus.

Ms Adriana Ikeda

Administrative Assistant

Ms Yuka Nguyen

Administrative Assistant

Ms Gabrielle Pires

Administrative Assistant

Gabrielle Pires provides administrative support to SCU College High School Pathway programs and plays an instrumental role in building positive relationships with high schools, students and their parents. Her encouraging and flexible approach helps students feel safe, valued and welcome, which is crucial for students’ academic and ongoing success. Gabrielle Pires is located at our Gold Coast Campus

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Contact SCU College

Dean, SCU College - Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Quality)	Assistant to Dean, SCU College
Professor Thomas Roche	Emily Pather
T: +61 7 5589 3366 E: colldirector@scu.edu.au	T: +61 7 5589 3360 E: emily.pather@scu.edu.au