EXCELSIA COLLEGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Academic Board, Professor
As Chair of the Academic Board, Professor Alan Bowen-James provides leadership and direction for the College's senior academics in achieving Excelsia College's vision of transforming lives through excellence in Christian higher education.
Alan holds postgraduate qualifications in a number of disciplines, including medicine, philosophy, law, cognitive science, informatics, business, education and the history of ideas. Alan has held senior academic and managerial appointments with the University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney, the University of New South Wales, Deakin University, NextEd Ltd, Cengage Education (formerly Thomson Education), and Australian Catholic University.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor
- DipEd
- Head of Humanities, University of Adelaide / BA ( Hons ) DipEd
Professor Jennifer Clark is currently Head of Humanities at the University of Adelaide. Before that she was Academic Director of Teaching and Learning for Arts and Sciences at the University of New England. She is a historian by training with research areas in American and Australian history, especially automotive history, memorial culture and the history of post-war Australian society. She also publishes on museology and history teaching in the tertiary sector. She has been recognised for her teaching at the local and national levels and currently holds an ARC Linkage Grant for research into the social history of Holden. Her most recent book is the co-edited volume Teaching history for the contemporary world: Tensions, challenges and classroom experiences in higher education (Springer, 2021).
Adjunct Professor Barbara Rugendyke served as Professor and Dean of Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University. Prior to that, Barbara was Head of School of Arts and Sciences at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, following an appointment as Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of New England. Before taking up leadership roles, Barbara was a teaching and research academic in human geography at the University of New England. Her research and publications focused on community development and sustainable development, primarily in Indigenous communities in Australia and Vietnam, the work of non-government organisations in improving livelihoods, and the advocacy of NGOs with the aim of poverty reduction. Most recently, Barbara's collaborative work with Anglicare North Coast on improving the circumstances of culturally and linguistically diverse women in non-metropolitan areas, mostly humanitarian arrivals, has been recognised in awards, locally and nationally. Barbara continues to be an active researcher, currently working on research related to service provision for homeless persons. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Barbara has served as a non-executive director on a number of not-for-profit boards.
Chris Gilbert's experience with diverse people and places has equipped him for his major life interest: "teaching young birds to fly" and storytelling. He became a follower of Jesus after a trip across Siberia in the northern winter of 1975. From Cornerstone Community in the outback of Australia, he went on to University studies, youth work among detention centre parolees in Brisbane, journalism, a Seminary degree in Philadelphia and 14 years providing pastoral care of church communities in Manhattan and Massachusetts. Over the past 20 years, he also directed digital film projects in India, Denmark, Lithuania, the U.S. and Australia. He returned to his native Australia in 2015 and now lives in Sydney teaching theological core subjects for Excelsia College. He is married to Jo Kadlecek-Gilbert and they enjoy exploring Sydney and its harbour together with their dog, Clark Kent.
Dr Beng Yeoh has served as World Vision's regional leader in the Middle East and Eastern Europe after having led the international development and humanitarian organisation in the East Asia region. Previously, he served as Asia Pacific Vice President of Leading The Way, a not-for-profit Christian media and broadcasting organisation, and held several CEO and managing director roles in international telecommunications, information technology services and IT education in Asia and Australia. He has postgraduate degrees in engineering, management, and theology.
Job Titles:
- Music Program Director, Lecturer, Research Supervisor
Christine started her career in music education in 1994 as a secondary school music teacher, moving into tertiary teaching in 1999. She has been a teacher educator at both the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian Catholic University before beginning work at Excelsia College in 2019. She teaches units in Contemporary and Early Music History, Small Ensemble Studies (Vocal and Chamber), Harmony and Formation III as well as Masters units in Music Pedagogy, Research Methods and Research Project.
Her personal philosophy of teaching has embraced scholarship, reflection, student centred pedagogy, and personal and spiritual formation as she seeks to develop and realise the potential of her students around share goals and mutual ownership of learning outcomes. She employs teaching strategies which start by acknowledging the diversity of students' prior learning in music, employing social constructivist pedagogies to build formal knowledge upon their informally acquired skills. To this end, activities in performance, improvisation, arranging, analysis and reflection are utilised as a basis for the introduction of unfamiliar abstract concepts requiring music reading or literacy.
She believes that effective assessment requires collaboration, with formative feedback provided throughout learning and assessment schemes. This provides her students with the opportunity to build self-efficacy as learners before more challenging individual ‘theory' tasks are undertaken.
Job Titles:
- Senior Lecturer, Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University
Dr Colette Alexander has served Christian education since she commenced her career as a primary school teacher. She has been engaged in the higher education sector for over 25 years, commencing first as a sessional lecturer at Christian Heritage College (CHC) in Brisbane. Over this time, she quickly moved into higher education full-time and has taken on a wide range of leadership roles in course review, development, accreditation and implementation in both the private and public sectors. She served as the inaugural Chair of CHC's Teaching and Learning Committee, during which time she oversaw the development of teaching and learning policies, and the introduction of eLearning. Since completing her PhD studies with the University of Adelaide in 2016 in the area of political policy, reform and standards in initial teacher education, Colette has been working at the Australian Catholic University where she has led accreditation for the Faculty of Education and Arts. She currently leads the implementation of the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA) Project for the national School of Education. Recently she has developed her profile as a researcher through opportunities to work as a Research Fellow with the Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education. She has continued to develop her research interests and publications in policy and reform through the lens of the assessment of professional practice in alignment with educational standards.
Dr Daniel Johnston has almost 20 years' experience in Higher Education across a range of institutions including Sheffield Hallam University, UK, The University of Notre Dame, Australia, The University of Sydney, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and Macquarie University. He holds a PhD in Performance Studies (The University of Sydney) and MA (Cantab) in Philosophy (University of Cambridge). He is the author of Phenomenology for Actors: Theatre-Making and the Question of Being (Bristol: Intellect) and Theatre and Phenomenology: Manual Philosophy (London: Palgrave).
Job Titles:
- President at Indiana Wesleyan University
Dr David Wright has served as President at Indiana Wesleyan University since 2013. Prior to this, David was Provost and Chief Academic Officer for five years at Indiana Wesleyan University, and Dean of the School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. Previously at Indiana Wesleyan University he served as Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies, Chair of the Department of Graduate Studies in Ministry, and Vice President for Adult and Graduate Studies.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Researcher
- Head of School of Counselling
Dr Dion Khlentzos has been a lecturer, researcher and manager within tertiary institutions for over 13 years. He has also worked as a psychologist and counsellor, both within organisations and in private practice. He is a member of the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia. Dion has had previous roles as Program Manager and Program Director with the Jansen Newman Institute, where he managed staff and the counselling programs, and as the Counsellor Trainer with the Salvation Army's crisis telephone counselling service.
Job Titles:
- Director of Partnerships & Engagement
Dr Ian Eddie is the Director of Partnerships & Engagement. He holds a PhD from The University of New England for research analysing consolidation accounting practices in the Asia Pacific region. He also has a Master of Economics by research from The University of Sydney and investigated asset valuation in imperfect markets. Furthermore, Dr Eddie holds a Bachelor of Economics Honours from The University of Sydney and undertook research examining purchase and pooling accounting methods in business combinations.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief Academic Officer
Jane Stenning has been working in the higher education sector for over 15 years as a leader and manager of academic teams and programs. She has worked in academic leadership roles in the Humanities, Pathways and Student Experience. Jane is committed to advocating for the student experience and creating environments where students want to be and learn, provider accountability and curriculum reform and innovation.
Rev. Dr. Lex Akers is a pastor and church leader in the Wesleyan Methodist Church (WMC) of Australia. He currently serves as the District Superintendent of the WMC for NSW/ACT as well as the assistant National Superintendent. Dr Lex has had experience in Civil Engineering, Business and Management before becoming a pastor. Dr Lex joined Excelsia in 2017. With 25 years of leadership and pastoral ministry he brings unique insights to teaching the Christian message to students of all faiths.
Job Titles:
- Lecturer
- Drama and Screen Production Lecturer
Dr Mark Seton is a Lecturer in the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Excelsia College. His research and scholarship in the field of actor health and wellbeing, both in training and in the workplace, have been recognized internationally: by a Churchill Fellowship to the UK, and by his ongoing contribution to the annual training Certificate program for Performing Arts Medicine, conducted by the Performing Arts Medicine Association each year in the USA. He has contributed chapters to several books and has authored peer refereed publications and reports in key areas of actor wellbeing in training and in the workplace. Mark is an invited examiner of Honours, Masters and Doctoral theses in this field and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Applied Arts and Health.
Seton, M. (2014). "Traumas of acting physical and psychological violence: How fact and fiction shape bodies for better or worse" Performing Ethos, 4:1, pp. 25-40.
Job Titles:
- Director of Research
- Director of Research & Director Lumen Research Institute
Dr Maureen Miner Bridges is Excelsia College's Director of Research. She also holds honorary/ adjunct research positions at Western Sydney University and Australian Catholic University. Previously Maureen held the position of Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, where she chaired the Psychology and Spirituality Society funded jointly by Western Sydney University and the Metanexus Foundation. Her research and scholarship in the fields of psychology, religion and spirituality have been recognised by a Crawford Miller Fellowship (St Cross College, Oxford) and a fellowship for the John Templeton Oxford program of seminars and research into Christianity and science. Maureen has served on Academic and Advisory Boards of major Sydney theological institutions (Australian College of Theology, Sydney College of Divinity). She has authored several books and almost 50 peer refereed publications and reports in key areas of psychology including abnormal psychology, organisational psychology, and psychology of religion. Maureen is an invited reviewer for major journals in her field, including the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Journal of Psychology and Theology, Review of Religious Research, and Theology and Science.
Dr Maureen Miner developed a strong interest in the relationship between religion, spirituality and psychology. This was expressed in her doctoral work and in subsequent research and research supervision.
Dr Pegah Marandi is an experienced lecturer with over 14 years of experience lecturing different units of Master of Teaching (Secondary): supervising, advising, and assessing practicum students, working on Academic Materials and Digital Design for LANTITE at Western Sydney University as well as teaching Media unit at Macquarie University. She is also a research assistant engaged in different research projects at Western Sydney University.
Pegah has experience in analytical cultural studies and expertise in coding and analysing qualitative data. This expertise in content analysis was used in the data analysis and reduction processes. She has carried out research projects in other contexts as well as in Australian within School of Education. She is currently a research assistant engaged in both current state of historical consciousness of Australian children (from school year 6 to school year 12) who are exposed to the Australian curriculum in History and determine what historical concepts, values and skills are evident, and also engaged in developing pre-service teachers' capability to teach culturally and linguistically diverse students.
Dr Marandi is an active researcher covering areas of pre-service teachers, pre-service teachers' dispositions; attitudes; and beliefs, community languages, linguistic and cultural diversity, historical consciousness, teaching and cultural diversity, EAL/D students, plural-linguistic teaching, English literature and Postcolonialism, and English Modernity.
Dr Peninah Kansiime has been a social work practitioner for over twelve years. She has both domestic and international practice in the areas of child protection, gender-based violence, social administration, forced migration, HIV/AIDS, and disability, with a range of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her social work lecturing career started almost three years ago, working as a sessional lecturer at the University of Western Sydney, University of Newcastle, as well as the Australian College of Applied Psychology in Sydney. Penny uses a holistic and critical approach to social work and aims at helping students become critically reflective practitioners.
Job Titles:
- Lecturer and Course Coordinator in Social Science
- Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers
Penny is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers, and the National Association of Social Workers of Uganda. She is also a member of the Kaldor-Africa research group and the African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific.
Job Titles:
- Tutor, Composition & Advanced Harmony
Dr. Peter McNamara is an award-winning Sydney-based freelance composer and academic. He is currently the instructor of composition (Masters) and harmony units at the Excelsia College and has worked for a variety of other tertiary institutions including the University of Sydney and University of New England. He is also a co-artistic director of the Sideband composer collective.
Peter McNamara's current projects include a number of multi-media works with chamber instrumentation and live electronics/video. He is also co-authoring a research article discussing compositional approaches setting ancient texts to music.
Job Titles:
- Head of School of Business
Job Titles:
- Social Work Lecturer
- Social Work Researcher
Shannon Said is a social work researcher and practitioner, working with Pacific, Maori and culturally diverse people groups over the past ten years. He has held various positions as a researcher at Western Sydney University, The University of Sydney, Australian Catholic University and others in the areas of music and other cultures, support programs for disadvantaged and minority university student groups, and music therapy as an alternative for young people from trauma backgrounds. Shannon has more recently has worked as a Youth Access Practitioner at headspace and Youth Development Worker at Bridging the Gap.
Said, S 2018, ‘Knowing through being known: reflections on Indigenous epistemology and participatory consciousness', Interventions, DOI: 10.1080/1369801X.2018.1558091
Dr. Kirsty Beilharz is a composer, researcher, educator and author. She is the Integrative Studies Program Director at Excelsia College. Kirsty has previously conducted research at the University of Notre Dame (Australia) in bioethics, healthcare ethics and spirituality, in collaboration with St. Vincent's Health Network. Kirsty was a conjoint academic of UNSW Faculty of Medicine, of Sydney University's Kolling Institute, and at HammondCare investigated the impact of music in dementia and palliative care. Kirsty was a Senior Creative Fellow at Anglican Deaconess Ministries, Visiting Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Professor of Music and Interaction Design at UTS, and Digital Media Program Director at Sydney University.
Kirsty's music has been performed worldwide, and by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Australian chamber Orchestra, and her installations have been exhibited at the Media Architecture Biennale in Vienna, Bondi Sculpture by the Sea, Paris Cité International des Arts, Sydney Powerhouse Museum, and in Taiwan, Japan, Paris and the UK.
(2011) Ferguson, S., Beilharz, K.A., and Calo, C.A. ‘Principles for tabletop computing in interactive sonification and visualisation of data' in Hermann, T., Bresin, R., and Hunt, A. (Ed.s) J. Multimodal User Interfaces, Springer http://www.springer.com/computer/hci/journal/12193, JMUI-D-11-00018R1.
(2003) Reffat, R. M. and Beilharz, K. A New Perspective of Transforming the Use of CAAD in Designing the Built Environment, ANZAScA Conference, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney: 494-501.
Dr. Peter Stiles graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts and then a Master of Arts in English Literature. During those years he was pursuing a teaching career in NSW government primary schools (having graduated from Armidale Teachers College, where he won the Poetry Prize). In 1979 he transferred to teaching English in secondary schools, and subsequently became Head of English in two state high schools. He then undertook a Master of Education degree at the University of NSW.
After pursuing theological studies at Regent College, Vancouver, in 1987, he undertook a Doctorate in Literature and Theology at the University of Glasgow. On his return from Glasgow, Peter chose to move into the private school sector, where he had executive roles at two leading private schools. Since 2016, he has been lecturing at Excelsia College, for several years in the role of Senior Lecturer in Education.
Peter's first collection of verse, ‘Trumped by Grace', was shortlisted for Christian Book of the Year in 2017. His poetry has been published widely in Australia and the United States. His second collection of verse, ‘Surprised by Jack', a poetic response to the life and work of C. S. Lewis, was launched late last year at Excelsia.
Job Titles:
- Associate Lecturer CAPA, Academic Support Advisor
Fiona was nominated for being a dedicated and caring teacher. Her experience in Drama and as a portfolio career artist and teacher has made her particularly good at engaging students to think creatively about their work. In 2020 due to Covid-19 lockdown, Fiona directed the college musical Songs for a New World, changing it to an online format. Students engaged with Fiona in the problem-solving exercise, working independently and innovatively to make the musical happen despite isolation. Fiona's greatest strength is the respect and support she provides to every individual student.
Professor Howard Sercombe has been a practitioner, researcher and academic in the youth field for over forty years. He has worked on the street in welfare suburbs of Perth, developed services for Indigenous young people in the outback of Western Australia, worked with Eastern European gypsy communities in Glasgow, and heroin users in de-industrialising towns in Scotland. He has been a researcher and academic in Australia and the UK and is recognised internationally especially for his work in professional ethics and the impact of neuroscience on our understandings of young people.
Sercombe, H. (2018) The ethical foundations of youth work as a profession. In The Handbook of Youth Work Practice London: Sage..
Tulloch, Rowan, Helen Wolfenden, and Howard Sercombe. (2021). Designing Alternate Reality Games for effective learning: a methodology for implementing multimodal persistent gaming in university education. Media Practice and Education. Online edition: January. doi:10.1080/25741136.2020.1864179.
Sercombe, H. and Sercombe, J (2010) Working the document: Using Ethics Cards to operationalise the Youth Work Code of Ethics. In Ethics and Social Welfare Vol 3 No 2 316-321
Sercombe, H. (2010) The gift and the trap: working the "teen brain" research into our concept of youth. Journal of Adolescent Research Vol 25 No 1 31-47.
Sercombe, H. and Paus, T. (2009) The teen brain research: implications for practitioners. Youth and Policy No. 103, Summer, 25-38.
Sercombe, H. (2008) Living in Two Camps: The strategies Goldfields Aboriginal people use to manage in the Aboriginal economy and the mainstream economy at the same time. Australian Aboriginal Studies, December 16-31.
Excellence in Teaching Award overall winner for 2021 was Ireni Farag for designing teaching underpinned by socio-cultural research and a desire to stimulate curiosity in students that encourages life-long learning and enhances the student learning experience at Excelsia College.
Her application provided numerous examples of versatile teaching methods that enhanced students‘ learning experience at Excelsia college. Carefully designed, scaffolded assessments ensure students are introduced carefully to complex theories and models. Case studies that include Christian organizations display a level of design in which students gain intimate knowledge of potential organizations where they can work in the future. Adaption of a client-centred counselling approach to teaching is evidenced by enthusiastic and inspired student feedback.
Professor Jane Fernandez holds the position of Provost at Excelsia College. Jane was until recently also Vice-President, Quality & Strategy at Avondale University College (2011-April 2020). In her role at Avondale, Jane successfully led Avondale's University College and Self-Accrediting projects. She led in the set-up and management of Avondale's Joint-Conferral Scheme with Charles Sturt University. Jane also founded and continues to lead the national-based Higher Education Private Provider Quality Network (HEPP-QN). Jane is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is also a member of the TEQSA Register of Experts. She is committed, through collaborative practice, to contributing to the national reputation of higher education in Australia.
Job Titles:
- Head of Humanities at the University of Adelaide
Miner, M., Dowson, M., & Malone, K. (2013). Spiritual satisfaction of basic psychological needs and psychological health. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 41, 298-314.
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategy Officer and Director of Quality
Gordon Bobin's journey through educational leadership
Gordon has spent his entire career working in education, holding numerous positions across both the primary and secondary sectors before now working in higher education. These positions include stints as a Head of Department, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Head of Curriculum, and Regional Facilitator, as well as management positions in accreditation, regulation and eLearning. In addition, he has held roles involving teacher training and development, curriculum and assessment writing, advising strategy for eLearning, adoption of new technology, policy writing, and regulatory compliance.
He was a regular presenter at a number of education conferences and training seminars, such as the annual All Schools Technology Day Conference, as well as at various TeachMeets and Building Capacity forums run throughout the Sydney region.
Gordon has also spent time volunteering for St Vincent de Paul Society and the Australian Red Cross, and still actively volunteers and participates in a number of charities.
Mr Neil Colombari has worked in a number of sectors throughout his career including financial services and higher education. Prior to moving into higher education, Neil held a number of positions with Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Bank, including Risk Leader and Broking Services Manager. In 2009 he joined the Sydney Campus of The University of Notre Dame Australia, where he again had a variety of management positions, including Campus Registrar from 2014 - 2021.
Neil joined Excelsia College in 2022 and was appointed Academic Registrar in 2023.
Mr Neville Cox has had an extensive and diverse commercial career, including numerous turnarounds. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Bank and a director of 26 companies in the Commonwealth Bank Group. He was Chair of AMP Bank Limited and Australian College of Ministries, and is Chair of Christian Super, Advertiles Corporation Pty Ltd, and Vision Christian Media. He is a director of Focus on the Family Australia and Chair of the Sydney Prayer Breakfast.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- CEO / Managing Director ) BBus
Mr Peter McKeon held the role of Managing Director Oceania at Sony. He has also held senior management roles in Australia and overseas for over 30 years with companies such as Sony, Telstra, Panasonic, Sharp, Bridgestone, Citizen and Philips. He is currently a Board Director at Gift of Life Foundation, former Board Director of Australia-Japan Society and AMTA (Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association) and a current Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce. Peter is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman and Founding Member of Anchorage Capital Partners
Mr Cave is Chairman and founding member of Anchorage Capital Partners and has been investing in operational turnarounds for over 40 years, prior to the establishment of Anchorage. He is currently Chairman of the not-for-profit, Ability First Australia, and Board Director of David Jones Limited and GBST.
Job Titles:
- Professional Non - Executive Director
Mr Richard J Grellman AM has been a professional non-executive director with a variety of companies since 2000. Previously, he worked with accounting firm KPMG for 32 years. Richard serves as Lead Independent Director of The Salvation Army in Australia.
Ms Sophie York is a barrister and legal philosopher who lectures in both jurisprudence and legal ethics at the Faculty of Law of the University of Sydney. She was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1991 and was called to the Bar in 1995. She is an Officer in the Royal Australian Naval Legal Reserves, author, and public speaker. She is a Red Cross trained instructor in International Humanitarian Law. She is an active member of a number of community clubs and associations, and together with her husband is a sponsor of the School of St Jude in Tanzania. Sophie served on the Board of Campion College for eight years prior to joining the Board of Excelsia College.
Job Titles:
- Field Education Liaison Officer
- Member of the International Higher Education Teaching
Nicky has over 25 years' experience in clinical practice, research, academia, and public and private health management. She has extensive experience consulting to human service agencies, not for profit organisations and small businesses.
Nicky has had a diverse career including specialising in clinical work in the acute care, primary care, community, and private sectors. She has worked in executive management and senior quality improvement roles across a range of settings. She has diverse experience teaching across multiple Universities and Higher Education facilities and Colleges in both undergraduate and postgraduate in Social Work and other human services courses and degrees.
She is a specialist in Social Work workplace learning and is particularly skilled in imparting Social Work theory and concepts in a way that students can connect with meaningfully and personally.
Nicky has been invited to be a panel member on a number of the NSW / Vic Field Education Series, CUFEG NSW.
Nicky is a member of the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association, the Higher Education Management Group, LeadX, a Leadership and Development Program and the Emotional Intelligence & Diversity Institute.
She is a member of the Small Business & Independent Consultant Network and of the Innovation Management Group.
She is also a member of the Cross-Cultural Coaching & Counselling Group and the Learning, Education, and Training Professionals Group.
She is a member of the Grief and Loss Professional Network, The Narrative Practice and Discussion Group, The Trauma Informed Educators Network and the Trauma Informed Professionals Collaboration Network.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Social Impact at UTS Business School
Rachel Wilson is Professor of Social Impact at UTS Business School. Rachel' expertise lies in research for social impact and education. With a background in psychology, research methods and teaching, Rachel has developed a strong track record in timely, industry partnered research for media, policy, practice and broader social impact. Rachel is interested in understanding system architecture, data and policy frameworks in education industries. In analysing systems she always endeavours to keep stakeholders, especially students', teachers' and communities', interests and social equity at the heart of her work.
Rachel has a wealth of experience in training and supporting research students; specialist skills in educational pedagogy, assessment, and education data bases; and in organisational and system level learning, educational innovation, and reform. She has many years' experience teaching research methodology, particularly quantitative and qualitative analysis, and in program evaluation methods. She is a strong proponent of mixed methods and mixed designs. Rachel has taught and researched at the Universities of Oxford, Melbourne and Sydney and held positions in government, corporate and not-for-profit organisations. She currently sits on two Boards.
Job Titles:
- President and Vice Chancellor of Avondale University College
Professor Ray Roennfeldt has recently retired as President and Vice Chancellor of Avondale University College where, for 11 years, he provided leadership as Avondale transitioned to Self-Accrediting Authority status and then to Australian University College. Ray has worked as a nurse, pastor, theological educator in Papua New Guinea and Australia, and as a higher education administrator. During the past three decades he has been very engaged in course development, academic governance, and institutional direction and strategy. In retirement, Ray continues to engage with the higher education sector through involvement with a number of independent providers and as a higher degree by research supervisor.
Ray also presently chairs the Human Research Ethics Committee at Sydney Adventist Hospital. He is enthusiastically committed to fostering the continued advancement of Christian higher education in Australia.
Karl Faase is a well-known Australian Christian communicator, media presenter, leader and social commentator. He is the CEO of Olive Tree Media, the organisation through which he produces programs of excellence for Christian media and local church use internationally.
Karl moved to Olive Tree Media after 20 years as the Senior Pastor of Gymea Baptist Church in Sydney's southern suburbs. Karl is the Board chair of the Sarmatians Purse and BGEA Australian Boards. He is also on the board of the Sydney Prayer Breakfast. Karl was the co-founder of the Australian Arrow leadership program and the co-founder of the Jesus. All About Life campaign. Karl is registered minster of religion with the Baptist churches of NSW and holds a Bth.