Charles Sturt University
A university of the land and people of our regions.
Charles Sturt is a university of the land and people of our regions. Its focal ethos is the Wiradjuri phrase, “yindymarra winhanganha”, which means, the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in. This phrase embodies Charles Sturt’s four guiding values which are: Insightful, Inclusive, Impactful, and Inspiring. It is these four principles that guide University decision-making and underpins processes and operations. Charles Sturt strives to understand people and the world, embrace differences, and recognise the strength and value of working together. The University aims to make a difference in society by being at the cutting edge of creating a bright and sustainable future.
Focusing on the current skills shortages, Charles Sturt has created new courses to meet demands – in medicine, accounting, social work and care, engineering, and business. This augments their historical strengths in agriculture, communications, community health and the environment. Charles Sturt continues to graduate more First Nations students than any other Australian university and strives to be at the forefront of delivering what Australians require to work, live and be healthy, as they lead meaningful lives.
Governance
Charles Sturt University is governed by the Charles Sturt University Act 1989, as well as the Charles Sturt University by-laws 2005, and the Governance Rules and Policies of the University.
Charles Sturt University is committed to delivering the highest standards of governance and to establishing the culture required to assure our stakeholders of our strategic focus, operational performance and institutional accountability.
The Chancellor
Dr Michele Allan
Chancellor of CSU
Dr Michele Allan AO is a food industry and agribusiness specialist who has held senior executive and director positions in the food and education sector, and has an academic background in biomedical science, management, and law. In 2023 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to the agricultural, food production and business sectors, and to tertiary education.
Dr Allan is the current Chair of Wine Australia, TAS Pty Ltd and 20 Degrees and non-executive director of Smart Sat CRC.
Dr Allan has previously served as Chair of the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre (FIAL), Meat and Livestock Australia, Apple and Pear Australia Limited and Nuffield Australia. She has served as a non-executive director of the CSIRO, Food Agility CRC, Dairy Food Safety Victoria, Grain Growers Limited, Tasmanian Irrigation, Innovation and Science Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Callaghan Innovation, Patties Food Limited, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, and Forest and Wood Products Australia. She has also held various executive roles with Amcor Limited, Kraft Foods, Bonlac Foods Limited, ICI, Tasmania’s Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence, Johnson and Johnson, and Nestle.
In 2013, Dr Allan was appointed by the Commonwealth Minister for Agriculture to chair the Wheat Industry Advisory Taskforce. In 2014, she was appointed by the Federal Government to lead the Tasmanian Fruit and Vegetable Taskforce. In 2016, she was appointed by the Federal Governance to the Expert Panel, Driving Innovation, Fairness and Excellence in Australian Higher Education. In 2024 Dr Allan was appointed by the Federal Minister of Agriculture to undertake an independent review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity.
Dr Allan has a Bachelor of Applied Science Major - Biomedical Science - Cytology from University of Technology Sydney, Master of Management (Technology) from the University of Melbourne, Doctor of Business Administration from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a Master of Commercial Law from Deakin University. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
Term: 3 December 2014-2 December 2026
Governing body
University Council
The Charles Sturt University Council is the governing body of the University and constituted in accordance with the Charles Sturt University Act 1989 to ensure the proper stewardship and strategic direction of the University. The Council is directly accountable for the stakeholders of the University for creating and delivering value and improved performance through effective governance.
The Council has 17 members who reflect the perspectives and capabilities of our various stakeholders, our students, graduates, staff and our communities. Members must have the skills, qualifications and experience necessary for the good governance and stewardship of the University.
The Council has established principal Committees to assist it in exercising its responsibilities, including monitoring the performance of the University against the objectives and performance indicators set out in the University Strategy and other institutional planning documents.
Membership
Official Members
Chancellor: Dr Michele Allan (2 December 2026)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Renee Leon PSM (Ex-Officio)
Chair of Academic Senate: Professor Wilma Vialle (31 December 2025)
Chair, Audit and Risk Committee: Ms Michelle Beveridge (31 July 2029)
Members appointed by the Minister
Ms Kristal Kinsela (30 June 2027)
Ms Susan Leahy (16 July 2029)
Members appointed by the Council
Dr Kate Cornick (31 January 2026)
Mr Philip Marcus Clark AO (30 June 2027)
Emeritus Professor Joyce Kirk (31 January 2026)
Mr John Lloyd (30 June 2027)
Dr Bruce Godfrey (30 June 2027)
Dr Kyle Turner (30 June 2027)
Emeritus Professor Roy Green AM (30 June 2027)
Members elected by the university community
Graduate & Deputy Chancellor: Dr Saranne Cooke (31 December 2025)
Academic Staff: Professor Julian Grant (30 June 2026)
Professional Staff: Ms Melanie Rumball (30 June 2026)
Student: Mr Benjamin Fry (30 June 2026)