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Professor Renée Leon appointed Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor
Professor Renée Leon is bringing her expertise in leadership and change to Charles Sturt University at an important time of transition.
In 2021 Professor Renée Leon PSM commenced her role as Charles Sturt University’s fifth Vice-Chancellor. Professor Leon has extensive experience in Commonwealth and State public administration, covering policy, program management and service delivery. She has been the Secretary of two Commonwealth Departments – the Department of Human Services and the Department of Employment – and has served as the CEO of the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety. Professor Leon was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2013 for outstanding service to public administration and law in leadership roles in the Australian Capital Territory and the Commonwealth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University and a Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge, where she was selected as the Menzies Foundation Law Scholar in 1995. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and a member of Chief Executive Women Australia.
Professor Leon’s expertise in leadership and change management underpinned the establishment of the Department of Employment as a high-performing organisation and the transformation of services and culture in the Department of Human Services. We are delighted that she now brings this expertise to Charles Sturt University to lead us through what is shaping up to be an exciting period of change and growth. Professor Leon said she is honoured to lead Australia’s leading regional university at a time when the regions are playing an increasingly visible and important national role. “Regional universities contribute hugely to regional development and sustainability, and it is exciting to join Charles Sturt University at a time when regional Australia is growing and evolving,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to working with an academic team who is committed to the development of the university to meet the challenges ahead.” Professor Leon believes that universities make enduring contributions to the public good, both by deepening our knowledge and by developing the wisdom and skills of our next generation. She is greatly energised by the opportunity to further these goals, aiming to lift the impact and excellence of Charles Sturt's research and to ensure our students are successful in their studies and beyond. This vision emphasises her belief that university is about more than a degree – it’s a life-long relationship, a place to make connections and an incubator for ongoing opportunity and support. For this reason, Professor Leon understands the power of our alumni body and the importance of remaining connected and encourages everyone to do so.
“Our alumni are our greatest asset, and this is apparent on a daily basis. I’m particularly delighted to see the variety of ways in which our alumni engage with and support the university through the Alumni Give program and encourage others to consider joining. It is a wonderful way of remaining connected while sharing your expertise. I’m looking forward to working with and forming relationships with more of our alumni.”
If you would like to know more about our Alumni Give program, visit alumni.csu.edu.au/alumni-give
