Charles Sturt appoints new Executive Dean of Faculty of Arts and Education – issued Monday 17 February 2020

• Professor John McDonald is the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education
• A Professor of Sociology, he has more than 20 years’ experience in regional universities and leadership roles
• Professor McDonald will start at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga on Monday 23 March

Charles Sturt University is pleased to welcome Professor John McDonald as the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education.

The Faculty of Arts and Education at Charles Sturt offers a range of online and on-campus degrees in the creative arts, communication, library and information studies, theology, social work, sociology, literature, philosophy, history, Indigenous Australian studies, teacher education, and Islamic studies.

Professor McDonald will work closely with the University’s communities to expand the engagement and impact of the Faculty, as he is passionate about the power of teacher education and the humanities, arts, and social sciences to transform people’s lives.

“I am thrilled to join Charles Sturt University – a university with a distinctive and powerful mission to make the world a place worth living in,” Professor McDonald said.

“Charles Sturt University is a national leader in regional engagement, pathways for first-in-family and Indigenous students, graduate employment outcomes, and research with impact.”

Professor McDonald joins Charles Sturt from Federation University, where he was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education, and was previously Head of School and Research Director, and brings more than 20 years’ experience at regional universities.

His commitment is evident through the development of a new strategic framework to address high levels of regional youth disengagement, which gained the full support of community leaders and stakeholders.

Professor McDonald also brings expertise in facilitating community engagement agendas for partnership initiatives across the arts and education sectors, such as the Child and Youth Area Partnership Doctoral research program.

He successfully negotiated a three-year partnership with Creative Clunes, a cultural organisation in Clunes in central Victoria, to develop and cross-promote performing arts, literature and history/heritage studies.

Professor McDonald is a national leader in ensuring a first-rate student experience in the humanities, arts and social sciences disciplines, having achieved a national ranking of third overall at his current university, Federation University.

He also spearheaded the establishment of an early career research development program.

Charles Sturt Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor John Germov, said Professor McDonald was a welcome addition to the Faculty.

“Professor McDonald has made significant contributions to sociology, arts, education and regional Australia through his many years as an educator, researcher and academic leader,” Professor Germov said.

“The University is fortunate to have someone with his experience and passion for education, especially his impactful work in regional communities.

“This aligns well with Charles Sturt University’s commitment to serving the public good and being the leading university for graduate employment in Australia.

“I am delighted to officially welcome him to the Faculty of Arts and Education.”

Professor McDonald’s research interests include community engagement, public sociology, health sociology, research with a rural and regional focus, and applied research that impacts on public policy.

He has authored more than 85 chapters, refereed articles, conference papers, and professional reports.

“As Executive Dean, I look forward to working with staff, students, alumni, partners and communities to build upon the great work of the Faculty,” Professor McDonald said.

“There is so much yet to be achieved in unleashing the transformative power of education and research in our disciplines.”

He will start at Charles Sturt on Monday 23 March and be based at the Wagga Wagga campus.