Rhonda Hawkins (AM) to lead Victoria University’s transformation agenda

Victoria University is pleased to announce the appointment of Rhonda Hawkins (AM) – one of Australia’s leading experts on running universities and implementing change – into the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins said Rhonda Hawkins, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, now Western Sydney University, would lead the next phase of the University’s transformation agenda.

“There is a huge implementation job to be done to deliver our Towards Success Transformation Agenda to enhance our educational and research outcomes, and increase productivity to return the University to a financial surplus,” Professor Dawkins said.

“Our initiatives include a First Year Model that will introduce Australia’s first block mode, the establishment of the Victoria University Research School to further enhance VU’s reputation as an excellent University, and the establishment of the VU Academy for high achieving and high potential undergraduate students.”

In her ten years as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Western Sydney, Rhonda Hawkins led, with the Vice-Chancellor, the implementation of major structural changes and accompanying transformation of the university that has greatly enhanced its reputation for outstanding teaching, research and engagement.

In 2015 Rhonda Hawkins became a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to higher education through governance and leadership roles, and as an advocate for social justice and gender equity. She is renowned for her dedication to creating better academic opportunities for western Sydney’s youth for more than three decades.