Southern Cross Uni announces new boss

THE Gold Coast’s youngest university has had a major leadership change with the appointment of a new vicechancellor.

Southern Cross University has appointed Professor Tyrone Carlin as its new vicechancellor and president after the surprise exit of Professor Adam Shoemaker.

Professor Shoemaker, appointed in 2016, has accepted the role of vice-chancellor at Victoria University y in Melbourne.

The move follows a tumultuous 2020 for the e tertiary edu- cation sector, r, hard which by was the hit i pandemic, partly due to a severe drop in the number of international students.

In June, SCU was one of many universities to announce it faced deficits – in its case $40-58m in the next two years – and seek voluntary redundancies among staff.

Professor Carlin (pictured) has been deputy vice-chancellor for two years.

Chancellor Nick Burton Taylor said he was delighted by the appointment.

“Professor Carlin has proved himself an exceptionally capable leader in his role as deputy vice-chancellor,” Mr Burton Taylor said.

“He has refocused our academic offering and has mapped out a vision for how it will be delivered.

“His appointment also provides Southern Cross with continuity during a period of challenge and reform.

“Professor Carlin has been central in formulating Southern Cross’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and it will give the university confidence in maintaining that course.”

The chancellor thanked Professor Shoemaker for his energy and passion.

“Southern Cross, under Adam’s leadership, experienced renewed growth and strong community standing,” Mr Burton Taylor said.

“We wish him success with his new role in Melbourne,” he said.

Professor Carlin will take the helm on September 28. He described the appointment as an “enormous privilege”.