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Professor Brian English, formerly the Foundation Professor of Social Work and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Newcastle, is the Chair of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He brings forth a wealth of knowledge and has expertise in program development, accreditation and quality reviews within and across universities as well as other tertiary institutions. Having served in roles such as Department Head, Dean, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Newcastle, Prof English is a leading figure in tertiary education management.
Prof English has served as Branch President and National Director at the social work professional body, Australian Community Workers Association. Professor English has also had extensive governance experience at community, local government, state and national levels in education, community development, health delivery and creative activities.
Professor English takes pride in his role in the development and oversight of SCI and values the opportunity to work with talented and dedicated colleagues to contribute to the development of the courses offered at SCI.
Associate Professor Alison Owens is the Chair of the Academic Board and serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council, Course & Industry Advisory Committee and Learning & Teaching Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She is the Academic Lead, Scholarship and Professional Learning at the Centre for Education and Innovation at the Australian Catholic University.
Assoc Prof Owens has over twenty-five years’ experience in teaching and researching education in higher education contexts.
Assoc Prof Owens is the recipient of multiple internal and external research grants and publishes widely on higher education topics. Her fields of interest and impact are the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and Creative Arts.
Assoc Prof Owens completed her Doctorate in Education in 2006 (UTS) and completed a PhD in Creative Arts (CQU) in 2018. In recognition of her commitment to professional learning for academic staff and PhD supervisions, she was awarded the ACU Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Postgraduate Teaching Excellence in 2023.
Emeritus Professor Kevin Lyons serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He has over 30 years of experience working in higher education in Australia, Singapore and the USA as an academic leader, researcher, and educator. He has held a range of executive leadership roles including appointments at the University of Newcastle as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean. He was also appointed CEO and Pro Vice-Chancellor of UoN Singapore.
Over the course of his career, Emeritus Professor Lyons has established an international reputation as a leading researcher and scholar in the areas of tourism, hospitality, and management. Upon retirement in 2020, his contribution to the international academic community was recognised by the University of Newcastle who bestowed upon him the lifelong honorary appointment of Professor Emeritus. Emeritus Professor Lyons remains actively involved in higher education. He now provides consulting services to a number of private higher education organisations and has remained engaged with the University of Newcastle on a number of initiatives. He continues to publish in highly ranked scholarly journals, supervises research Higher degree candidates, and undertakes occasional sessional teaching in the MBA at the University of Newcastle (UON).
Mr Steven Holliday serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He is a Fellow of the CPA Australia and has been a member for more than 30 years. Mr Holliday has also been a member of the Governance Institute of Australia for more than 15 years.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the Higher Education sector. As a senior university staff member, Mr Holliday has had considerable governance and management experience. He has also had financial oversight in many of his university roles. Mr Holliday is passionate about the delivery of quality learning, teaching and student support, and brings considerable experience working with international students.
Dr Susan Loomes serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute (SCI) She has extensive experience in higher education leadership, holding positions such as General Manager, Campus Director, Executive Director Business Operations and National Executive Director, HR.
Dr Loomes is currently the Director of Student and Academic Services at Griffith College.
Dr Loomes has a strong commitment to student engagement, student retention and student success. Her doctoral studies were undertaken at the University of Wollongong and her research was on the recruitment and selection of senior academic leaders in Australian universities.
Mr Alex Malley serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute at (SCI). He brings a wealth of industry expertise in the realms of accounting and business management. Currently serving as the CEO of the Australian Chiropractors Association since 2022, he previously held the position of Chief Executive at CPA Australia from 2009 to 2017. Mr Malley is a renowned startup investor, mentor, and bestselling author of “The Naked CEO”. Beyond his roles in the corporate world, he is an accomplished television host who has interviewed notable figures like Neil Armstrong, reaching audiences worldwide.
A familiar presence in Australian media, he has contributed as a regular commentator on The Nine Network’s The Today Show, ABC Breakfast, and 2GB radio station. Recognised on The Accountant magazine’s Global Accounting Power 50 List, his influence extends beyond business to encompass national economic and political discussions. He has also served on The Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability Project.
Adj Prof Asif Iqbal has over twenty years’ experience as an academic, most of it in academic management roles. Educated in several continents Prof Iqbal’s initial commerce degree in Pakistan and a degree from the UK was followed by employment as an academic at the Assumption University of Bangkok and as the Head of the Marketing Department at the Bradford University, Bangkok Campus/Centre.
In Australia, Prof Iqbal lectured at the University of Wollongong, Australian Catholic University, Central Queensland University, and the University of Newcastle. He worked at the Central Queensland University for six years as lecturer and the Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law. In that role, Prof Iqbal led a team of over 100 academics in wide ranging disciplines. As Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Prof Iqbal played a key role in the establishment of the new Sydney campus of Central Queensland University.
In 2005, Prof Iqbal was instrumental in setting up the Sydney Campus of Curtin University of Technology where he worked as the Academic Director leading a large team of academics until 2009. He managed the comprehensive campus audits conducted by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) and was the Chair of the Academic Board at the Sydney Campus of Curtin University of Technology.
Prof Iqbal has been member of various corporate and academic committees at the Central Queensland University, Curtin University of Technology, the University of Wollongong, the University of Newcastle, Australian Institute of Business and QIBA Sydney.
As member of the CPA Australia Universities Committee, he played a key participant’s role in establishing a new membership pathway through study of foundation courses.
Following his role at Curtin University and prior to joining Southern Cross School of Business (SCSB), Prof Iqbal established the higher education division of Williams Business College and led it successfully in gaining the status of a non-self-accrediting higher education institution. The College Governing Council then appointed Prof Iqbal the Campus Director & Dean of Williams Business College. Prof Iqbal served as the Chair of the Higher Education Executive Management Team and a member of the Governing Council and the Academic Board. He is well-known for his expertise in higher education management and is widely consulted in the areas of higher education registration and course accreditation regulatory process.
Hon Shaoquett Moselmane serves as the Ambassador and the member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute (SCI) He brings to SCI with him 41 years of dedicated public and community service experience. His impressive career includes 14 years as a Member of the NSW Parliament’s Legislative Council and 16 years in local government. A prominent figure in Australian politics, he is recognized for his unwavering commitment to justice and his advocacy for migrant and First Nations communities.
Hon Moselmane has had a distinguished and multifaceted career in Australian politics and public service. He began as a Rockdale City Councillor in 1995, where he served multiple terms as Deputy Mayor and Mayor. In 2009, he was appointed to the Legislative Council of the NSW Parliament, and in 2015, he was re-elected and became the Opposition Whip, serving in that role for four and a half years. He was later elected as the Assistant President of the Legislative Council.
Hon Moselmane has a deep commitment to justice, Aboriginal Affairs, Local Government, Multicultural Affairs, and foreign affairs, advocating for migrant communities and the rights of First Nations peoples. His initiatives include the Multicultural and Indigenous Media Awards, the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards, and the establishment of the Sydney Institute for Public and International Affairs (SIPIA). He is also actively engaged in charitable work, both locally and internationally, and holds degrees in Law, Politics, and Government Administration, along with practicing law from 1999 to 2007. His extensive involvement in various organizations and communities underscores his dedication to public service and advocacy for a wide range of important causes.
Associate Professor Alison Owens is the Chair of the Academic Board and serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council, Course & Industry Advisory Committee and Learning & Teaching Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She is the Academic Lead, Scholarship and Professional Learning at the Centre for Education and Innovation at the Australian Catholic University.
Assoc Prof Owens has over twenty-five years’ experience in teaching and researching education in higher education contexts.
Assoc Prof Owens is the recipient of multiple internal and external research grants and publishes widely on higher education topics. Her fields of interest and impact are the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and Creative Arts.
Assoc Prof Owens completed her Doctorate in Education in 2006 (UTS) and completed a PhD in Creative Arts (CQU) in 2018. In recognition of her commitment to professional learning for academic staff and PhD supervisions, she was awarded the ACU Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Postgraduate Teaching Excellence in 2023.
Associate Professor Tony Drew serves as a distinguished member of the Academic Board at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He is an experienced professional offering strategic consulting services globally for the internationalisation of higher education. Assoc Prof Drew is the Former Assistant Dean International (Faculty of Business and Law) and Associate Professor in International Business and Management at the University of Newcastle.
Assoc Prof Drew specialises in institutional theory, economic sociology, and the internationalisation of higher education, developing frameworks to understand how informal business institutions evolve in different societies. His recent accomplishment includes the publication of “The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Higher Education Systems and University Management” (Oxford University Press, 2019).
Dr Angela Daddow serves as a distinguished member of the Academic Board at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She has extensive experience in lecturing and researching in in Social Work Education at Deakin University, Victoria University and RMIT. She has had academic roles in Learning and Teaching at Australian Catholic University and Victoria University. Her social work experience includes working with vulnerable families who present with compounding health, mental health, trauma, addiction, and structural issues that significantly impact on their well-being.
Dr Daddow has expertise in family therapy, mental health, child and family welfare, supervision, and management. With post graduate qualifications in Social Work, and Doctoral research in Education, her research interests include pedagogies for diverse learners, inclusive curriculum design, palliative care, and education toward ecological justice.
Adj Prof Asif Iqbal has over twenty years’ experience as an academic, most of it in academic management roles. Educated in several continents Prof Iqbal’s initial commerce degree in Pakistan and a degree from the UK was followed by employment as an academic at the Assumption University of Bangkok and as the Head of the Marketing Department at the Bradford University, Bangkok Campus/Centre.
In Australia, Prof Iqbal lectured at the University of Wollongong, Australian Catholic University, Central Queensland University, and the University of Newcastle. He worked at the Central Queensland University for six years as lecturer and the Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law. In that role, Prof Iqbal led a team of over 100 academics in wide ranging disciplines. As Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Prof Iqbal played a key role in the establishment of the new Sydney campus of Central Queensland University.
In 2005, Prof Iqbal was instrumental in setting up the Sydney Campus of Curtin University of Technology where he worked as the Academic Director leading a large team of academics until 2009. He managed the comprehensive campus audits conducted by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) and was the Chair of the Academic Board at the Sydney Campus of Curtin University of Technology.
Prof Iqbal has been member of various corporate and academic committees at the Central Queensland University, Curtin University of Technology, the University of Wollongong, the University of Newcastle, Australian Institute of Business and QIBA Sydney.
As member of the CPA Australia Universities Committee, he played a key participant’s role in establishing a new membership pathway through study of foundation courses.
Following his role at Curtin University and prior to joining Southern Cross School of Business (SCSB), Prof Iqbal established the higher education division of Williams Business College and led it successfully in gaining the status of a non-self-accrediting higher education institution. The College Governing Council then appointed Prof Iqbal the Campus Director & Dean of Williams Business College. Prof Iqbal served as the Chair of the Higher Education Executive Management Team and a member of the Governing Council and the Academic Board. He is well-known for his expertise in higher education management and is widely consulted in the areas of higher education registration and course accreditation regulatory process.
Associate Professor Georgia Clarkson is the Chair of the Course & Industry Committee and serves as a distinguished member of the Academic Board at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She has a mixed disciplinary background in arts, teaching and paramedicine. She has a focus on inclusivity in education having completed her PhD around the impact of inclusive educational practice.
Assoc Prof Clarkson has worked as an academic since 2008 and has been employed by several higher education providers, where she has worked in leadership roles in shaping programs and projects. Her interdisciplinary experience has guided her leadership of numerous teaching development projects in collaboration with colleagues from a broad range of disciplines. Experience in policy development and governance enhances her higher education leadership experience.
Marie-Claire Cheron-Sauer is a Senior Social Work leader with a strong industry background in health and human services. She has worked clinically and in senior and executive management roles in government, commercial and non-profit sectors in the areas of child, family and adult psychosocial health, disability, sexual assault and domestic and family violence. She is an accredited mental health social worker.
She has taught for over 15 years at Macquarie University, the Australian College of Applied Professions and Western Sydney University in the areas of sociology, research and social policy. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), the current Chair of Melanoma Patients Australia, a current member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Accrediting Panel for Social Work Education in Australia and a current member of the AASW Ethics Panel.
She has previously served twice on the AASW Board as National Vice President. She was awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship in 2012 and undertook research into the education and accreditation systems for the social work profession in the US, Canada, Denmark and England. She has a Master of Management Studies from UNSW Sydney, a Master of Policy and Applied Social Research from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Social Work from UNSW Sydney. Her research interests lie in developing resilient and effective social work practitioners and leaders for the needs of the 21st century.
More broadly Marie-Claire is interested in psychosocial well-being for people living with cancer and chronic, non-communicable diseases and in the areas of psychosocial support for people living with gendered violence.
Associate Professor Georgia Clarkson is the Chair of the Course & Industry Committee and serves as a distinguished member of the Academic Board at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She has a mixed disciplinary background in arts, teaching and paramedicine. She has a focus on inclusivity in education having completed her PhD around the impact of inclusive educational practice.
Assoc Prof Clarkson has worked as an academic since 2008 and has been employed by several higher education providers, where she has worked in leadership roles in shaping programs and projects. Her interdisciplinary experience has guided her leadership of numerous teaching development projects in collaboration with colleagues from a broad range of disciplines. Experience in policy development and governance enhances her higher education leadership experience.
Dr Adrian Melia serves as a distinguished member of the Course & Industry Advisory Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He has over 20 years’ experience combined as a practitioner and academic. Prior to entering academia Dr Melia worked in the Finance industry as an Actuarial analyst as well as Management Consulting for clients in Financial Services and Government.
Presently the Deputy Head of School for Teaching & Learning and Senior Lecturer in Finance, at the University of Newcastle, Dr Melia is an award winning researcher, with main research interests in corporate finance and asset pricing. He has published in leading national and international finance journals such as the Journal of Banking and Finance, European Journal of Finance, Pacific-Basin Finance Journal and the Australian Journal of Management. With a focus on ensuring his academic translates into practice Dr Melia’s research has been recognised by the superannuation industry and collaborates and consults with both investment and insurance firms.
Dr Helen Haslem serves as a distinguished member of the Course & Industry Advisory Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She is an experienced lawyer and academic with extensive expertise in civil and criminal law, who has over a decade of legal experience, including a background as a federal prosecutor and government lawyer.
In addition to her legal career, Dr Haslem is a dedicated researcher and academic. She has taught undergraduate law units at various universities, including ACU, UTS, and Macquarie University. Her unique blend of legal experience and academic dedication is underscored by her commitment to effective learning design and principles of education.
Dr Haydn Aarons serves as a distinguished member of the Course & Industry Advisory Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.
Dr Aarons brings over 20 years of expertise to his work in the expansive fields of Social Sciences and Social Work. With a strong commitment to teaching and research, he has contributed significantly to these disciplines throughout his distinguished career.
His research focuses on religion, health, communities, migrants and refugees, and culture. Dr Aarons has also specialised in research methods for the Social Sciences and Social Work and has applied his expertise in survey research to a wide range of academic, industry, and policy research.
Dr Indra Seher serves as a distinguished member of the Course & Industry Advisory Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). She has Ph.D. in Computing and Information Technology from Western Sydney University and has over two decades of professional experience. With a diverse work experience in the IT industry as well as academics, she brings extensive experience to teaching, designing, and coordinating tertiary-level courses in Information Systems.
As an active researcher, Dr Seher’s interests span areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, and Natural Language Processing. Her professional journey includes a tenure as a Project Manager at Western Sydney University and significant involvement as a Reviewer, Programme Committee Member, and Technical Committee Member for various international conferences.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr Seher has served as a course advisor for both postgraduate and undergraduate students. She remains dedicated to teaching and innovative research in Computing and IT, embodying a proactive and challenging mindset.
Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu serves as a distinguished member of the Course & Industry Advisory Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He is a distinguished academic and researcher, renowned for his significant contributions to social gerontology and social work. He has taught in higher education institutions across Nigeria, Canada, and Australia, and has supervised both undergraduate and graduate social work students on field placements, shaping the next generation of social work professionals.
Anthony’s research is extensive and diverse, focusing on social work, aging, disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse populations. His scholarly work is widely published in respected journals, and he has presented his findings at international conferences, earning him recognition and respect in his field.
Beyond academia, Anthony is dedicated to the practical application of his research. He collaborates with local and international organizations to develop programs and policies aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults, youth, and those with disabilities. His commitment to social justice and advocacy for vulnerable populations is a cornerstone of his professional philosophy, driving his efforts to make a meaningful impact in communities.
Mr Steven Holliday serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He is a Fellow of the CPA Australia and has been a member for more than 30 years. Mr Holliday has also been a member of the Governance Institute of Australia for more than 15 years.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the Higher Education sector. As a senior university staff member, Mr Holliday has had considerable governance and management experience. He has also had financial oversight in many of his university roles. Mr Holliday is passionate about the delivery of quality learning, teaching and student support, and brings considerable experience working with international students.
Mr Alex Malley serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council at Southern Cross Institute at (SCI). He brings a wealth of industry expertise in the realms of accounting and business management. Currently serving as the CEO of the Australian Chiropractors Association since 2022, he previously held the position of Chief Executive at CPA Australia from 2009 to 2017. Mr Malley is a renowned startup investor, mentor, and bestselling author of “The Naked CEO”. Beyond his roles in the corporate world, he is an accomplished television host who has interviewed notable figures like Neil Armstrong, reaching audiences worldwide.
A familiar presence in Australian media, he has contributed as a regular commentator on The Nine Network’s The Today Show, ABC Breakfast, and 2GB radio station. Recognised on The Accountant magazine’s Global Accounting Power 50 List, his influence extends beyond business to encompass national economic and political discussions. He has also served on The Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability Project.
Dr Mervyn Fiedler serves as a distinguished member of the Risk Management Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). After matriculating at Upwey High School (in Victoria), Dr Fiedler joined the AMP Society in Melbourne as a junior clerk. He worked in various departments before being transferred to AMP’s Head Office in Sydney. Following several years in computer planning, he was transferred to the Economist’s Division, where he progressed through several economic roles, before being appointed AMP’s Chief Economist, from which position he eventually retired from full-time work.
During his career with AMP, he had embarked on an extensive range of part-time tertiary studies, gaining qualifications in insurance and finance, accountancy and company secretaryship, including governance, before attending the University of Melbourne where he gained the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Commerce. Later, he gained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics as an external student from the University of Queensland., and subsequently, a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University.
Post his AMP retirement, Dr Fiedler undertook a range of part-time roles. For several years, he operated a small financial planning business. He was appointed an Adjunct Professor, first at the University of Technology, Sydney for 10 years and subsequently at Charles Sturt University’s Sydney campus. On occasions, he lectured in economics, accounting and finance at several other universities and private colleges and became Head of the Finance Program at King’s Own Institute before retiring from teaching in 2021. During his career, he gave many public addresses, published a book, presented several economic and finance papers at Conferences in Australia and overseas, maintained contact with several local and overseas economists and finance groups and served on a number of local economic and finance committees. Most recently, he is serving on the Governing Council of one – and the Risk Management Committees of two – private colleges.