JCU seeks a new leader Cairns campus head bows out
JAMES Cook University is considering a new head for its Cairns campus.
Professor Robyn McGuiggan has resigned from her role as JCU’s head of Cairns campus due to personal health and family reasons.
Prof McGuiggan took on the role in 2014 after joining the university only three years earlier as pro vice chancellor for the Faculty of Business, Law and the Creative Arts.
She also held the position of deputy vice chancellor for global strategy and engagement, overseeing areas including international and domestic recruitment, engagement and marketing.
JCU vice chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said Prof McGuiggan had made many positive contributions to the university.
“Robyn’s time in Cairns has been marked by some major projects, including the development of our city campus in Shields St, JCU’s involvement in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and World Championships, and construction of our on-campus accommodation, which will welcome its first residents this week,” Prof Harding said.
“Achievements like these reflect Robyn’s impressive energy and commitment, as well as her willingness always to work collaboratively in the interests of the university and the community.
“I’m sure those community members who have met Robyn and her husband Karl will join us in wishing them all the very best for 2018 and beyond.”
Prof Harding said JCU had not yet begun the process of recruiting Prof McGuiggan’s successor.
“We have temporary arrangements in place now to ensure that work can proceed smoothly as we begin a new academic year,” she said.
There have been three JCU campus heads in Cairns in the past decade.
Former campus head Professor Scott Bowman departed JCU in 2009 to become vice chancellor of CQUniversity, and Dr Stephen Weller left the position in 2013 to take on the role of chief operating officer and deputy vice-chancellor (administration) at Australian Catholic University.
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