Six executives have been appointed at Central Queensland University to lead the University’s change agenda as part of the university-wide restructure and reorganisation, currently underway.

The appointments, effective in 2006, are a significant first-step following an external review conducted last year that recommended a new organisational structure designed to strengthen CQU’s teaching and research, enhance student performance and provide more customer service.

“I’ve assembled this team because of their collective success in business development, community engagement, cross-disciplinary know-how and their commitment to positive outcomes for students,” said Vice-Chancellor and President Professor John Rickard.

They are: Professor Angela Delves (pictured), Deputy Vice-Chancellor;.

Professor Gus Geursen, Executive Dean – Faculty of Business and Informatics;.

Professor Jennelle Kyd, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation);.

Professor Alex Radloff, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Services);.

Professor Richard Smith, Executive Dean – Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education; and.

Professor Elizabeth Taylor AO, Executive Dean – Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Health.

Other members of the executive already at CQU are Mr John Nelson as Executive Director (Resources) and Mr Ken Window as Executive Director (Corporate Services).

Biographical information on each appointee follows.

Professor Angela Delves will take on responsibilities as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for a 5-year term. Professor Delves, former Pro Vice-Chancellor & Vice President (Enterprise & International) at Southern Cross University and former Academic Registrar at the Australian National University, will be the standing deputy to the Vice-Chancellor and the University’s chief operating officer. Professor Delves, who has a wide spectrum of responsibilities for both academic and administrative areas, has particular experience in the areas of regional multi-campus university operations, community engagement, international operations and organisational change management. Her academic interests centre on aspects of genetics and crop improvement. She completed a doctorate at Hull University (U.K.) and has researched in science in both the U.K. and Australia.

Professor Alexandra (Alex) Radloff has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Services) for a 5-year term. Currently Professor Radloff holds the position of Dean Academic Development, Science, Engineering and Technology portfolio at RMIT University. She has extensive teaching, research, and higher education management experience gained over more than 25 years in tertiary institutions in Australia, England and South Africa. She has a Doctorate in Education conferred by Murdoch University and research interests in the area of educational psychology and higher education supported by an impressive publications list.

Professor Jennelle Kyd will join CQU as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) for a 5-year term. Professor Kyd will focus on improving the University’s research endeavours which involves forging improved links with major industries operating in Central Queensland and local communities. Currently, Professor Kyd holds the position of Professor of Forensic Science and Head, National Centre for Forensic Studies at the University of Canberra. She has a PhD conferred by the University of Newcastle and a significant research portfolio in the areas of biotechnology, immunology and medical microbiology with an emphasis on vaccine development for the prevention of middle ear and respiratory infections. Professor Kyd has an extensive and diverse network of contacts with government and industry through her many review, advisory and consultative positions.

Professor Gus Geursen has been appointed Executive Dean – Faculty of Business and Informatics for a 5-year term. Professor Geursen, the current Professor and Head of School, School of Marketing at the University of South Australia, will manage the restructure of CQU’s existing Faculties of Business & Law and Informatics & Communication. Professor Geursen has extensive managerial experience in both universities and business. He has a Doctor of Philosophy conferred by Monash University. Professor Geursen’s research interests are marketing entrepreneurship and management accounting. He has teaching experience in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and China.

Professor Richard Smith will assume the role of Executive Dean for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education for a 2-year term. Professor Smith is currently Dean of the Faculty of Education and Creative Arts at CQU. He will now be responsible for leading the restructure of the current Faculties of Arts, Health & Sciences and Education & Creative Arts. Professor Smith continues his position as Professor of Education and Innovation at CQU. His major academic interests lie in educational provisions for the future and research interests are in change management and policy effectiveness. He is the current Chair of the Minister for Education and the Art’s Ministerial Advisory Committee for Educational Renewal (MACER).

Professor Elizabeth Taylor, AO will take up her new position as Executive Dean for the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Health for a 5-year term. Professor Taylor is currently Dean of the James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems. She will now become a member of the CQU renewed Executive, responsible for leading the change agenda and restructure of the current Faculties of Arts, Health and Sciences and Engineering and Physical Systems. Throughout her academic career, Professor Taylor has supported and furthered the ideals of innovation and public service, and community and industry collaboration. Within the engineering profession and the higher education sector, Elizabeth’s contribution encompasses commercial, industrial and cultural organisations and communities. Part of the citation for her award of Officer of the Order of Australia relates to her contribution to delivery of high-quality education outcomes.