Professor Heather Cavanagh is the new Head of Campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie.

CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann, made the announced following the retirement of Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers from the role.

Professor Cavanagh is currently the Pro Vice-Chancellor, International Education and Partnerships, at CSU.  She has a distinguished career as a researcher in microbiology, having gained her doctoral qualifications in molecular virology from the University of Glasgow. She has formerly held the position of acting Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science.

Professor Vann said, "The appointment of Professor Cavanagh as Head of Campus reflects our dual commitment to senior level engagement with the NSW Mid North Coast region, and our goal of making the University in Port Macquarie a major campus for international and domestic students.

"Professor Cavanagh has been a champion of the campus in Port Macquarie within the University over many years, and has formed close working relationships with the Mid North Coast Local Health District and North Coast TAFE as part of her role.

"We were very pleased when Heather decided to take up residence in Port Macquarie, as we will have an experienced leader who will be a strong champion of regional engagement and development for Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast."

Professor Cavanagh said, "This is a wonderful opportunity to work with the Port Macquarie and North Coast region to build a campus of which the University and community can be proud, and to continue the job of addressing higher education opportunity and workforce needs across the region.

"Living in Port Macquarie will also allow me to work more closely with our key partners to meet the needs of the region, as well as position Port Macquarie as a major export centre for international education consistent with the University Strategy and Campus Development Plan."

Professor Vann said of Emeritus Professor Chambers, "Ross was a great ambassador for Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie, and he can be rightly proud of the contribution he has made alongside other staff of the University in building the foundations of our campus in Port Macquarie".

Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers will continue to contribute to the intellectual leadership of the University as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arts in Port Macquarie.