A TOP Canberra public servant will be the first woman to lead Charles Sturt University.
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Renee Leon was yesterday named the fifth vice-chancellor of the institution which has campuses at Thurgoona, Wagga and Bathurst.
She will start in the role next Wednesday.
Ms Leon has been secretary of the departments of Human Services and Employment at a federal level and chief executive of the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Chancellor Michele Allan said Ms Leon "has demonstrated her skills in effectively running large and complex organisations with multiple stakeholders and is the right person to lead Charles Sturt University into the next stage of our development".
Ms Leon, who received a Public Service Medal in 2013 for outstanding service to public administration and law in leadership roles in the ACT and the Commonwealth, is excited about her new role which comes amid a turbulent time for tertiary schools given the impact of COVID.
"I'm looking forward to working with an academic team who is committed to the development of the university to meet the challenges ahead," Ms Leon said.
Professor Vann had been on a sabbatical since June 2020, a move which attracted criticism given cuts made in response to COVID fallout.
Interim vice-chancellor, following Professor Vann's departure, John Germov will return to his role as provost and deputy vice-chancellor (academic).
"Professor Germov has played a critical role in leading the University through a challenging period," Dr Allan said.
