Bringing people together

A message from Executive Dean of Education and Arts Professor Mary Ryan:

The recent changes across the university have been challenging and we recognise the complexity of this impact. Through this change our passionate and committed staff have continued their thought leadership and service to our mission around human flourishing.

Expanding upon our journey, the Faculty of Education and Arts now encompasses two schools, four institutes – the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education; the Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education; the Institute of Child Protection Studies; the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy, the Clinic for the Advancement of Literacy, the Ancient Israel Program and the Western Civilisation Program. This exciting expansion offers unique opportunities for collaboration and cross-discipline teaching, critical research, deep knowledge sharing and improvement towards education outcomes.

This new development also presents targeted pathways to amplify our partnerships. Taking collaborations to the next level is the Leading and Learning Enterprise (LLE) who are actively fostering impactful partnerships and life-long learning opportunities. Through leveraging partnerships to increase our reach, adaptability, and engagement, LLE are bringing world-class research to the forefront of postgraduate and continuing education with curated learning opportunities, short courses, and micro-credentials in areas of STEM, literacy, leadership, and classroom management.

Meanwhile, our students are achieving remarkable accomplishments, with our first graduates of ACU's inaugural cohort of accelerated early childhood teachers completing their degree. Also, for the first time an education unit has been offered at the Rome campus where students eagerly took up the chance to live and study in Rome. This education unit compliments the myriad of international study experiences available to our students in the School of Arts and the School of Education.

With so many opportunities to engage in new imaginings, collaborations, and endeavours I am proud to be a part of a faculty and staff who are committed to providing transformational experiences.

Professor Mary Ryan