The University of Wollongong has appointed Dunghutti woman Nyssa Murray as Vice-President, Indigenous Strategy and Engagement.
Ms Murray, who commenced her role on Monday, will provide senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across the university and oversee Woolyungah Indigenous Centre, which supports more than 700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
She will report to the Provost and directly to the Vice-Chancellor on Indigenous strategy and UOW's Healing and Recognition Track Plan.
Ms Murray said her work across universities, government, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and corporate Australia had remained focused on supporting self-determination.
"As a Dunghutti woman, executive leader, researcher and PhD candidate, I've worked across universities, government, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and corporate Australia, and throughout that time I've remained focused on strengthening the conditions that enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to exercise self-determination," Ms Murray said.
"I'm looking forward to leading Woolyungah Indigenous Centre and strengthening the relationships that support our students, staff and communities to thrive, and to contributing to UOW's Healing and Recognition Track."
Ms Murray is a UOW graduate and current PhD candidate at the university, and has experience across research, governance, policy, community partnerships and organisational change.
She most recently worked as General Manager, Research and Capability at the National Indigenous Employment and Training Alliance, Australia's national peak body for Indigenous employment and training.
In that role, Ms Murray helped secure philanthropic and government investment, established the organisation's Research and Capability function and developed its Research Governance and Indigenous Data Sovereignty Frameworks.
She previously held the inaugural national First Nations leadership role at BlueScope and has worked across Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and state and federal government.
Her previous roles also include Aboriginal Partnership Manager with Regional NSW.
Earlier in her career, Ms Murray worked as a Project Manager at UOW and led the university's first formal partnership agreement with an Aboriginal Elders Group.
She also holds board and advisory roles across health, education, economic development and Aboriginal affairs, including with the Business Council of Australia's Indigenous Leadership Group and the Australian Government's Local Jobs Taskforce.
UOW Provost, Professor Ana Deletic, said the appointment reflected the university's commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and self-determination.
"Nyssa brings a depth of experience across research, governance, policy and community partnership that will be of enormous value as we continue to strengthen cultural safety and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success across UOW," Professor Deletic said.
UOW's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy includes its Healing and Recognition Track Plan, with Woolyungah Indigenous Centre supporting students and engagement across the university.
