The Executive are drawn from current members and are democratically elected positions by the Association’s membership. Executive members are expected to demonstrate expertise and knowledge of the sector, student engagement, support, and service delivery in tertiary context and of the diverse needs of students and have a collective commitment to ANZSSA’s values and strategic priorities.
The Executive comprises of eight directors, at least two of whom will be based in Australia and two in New Zealand. Of the two New Zealand directors, at least one will be Tangata Whenua, honouring Te Triti o Waitangi.
The current ANZSSA Executive are:
Dene Cicci is the Executive Director of Students at RMIT University. He leads a portfolio responsible for shaping and delivering transformative and enriching student experiences at RMIT. He is responsible for: student service and support; student welfare and wellbeing; equity and inclusion; career development, industry and global experiences; student life, sport and student partnerships. Dene has held leadership roles in higher education, financial services, healthcare, and government organizations, and is a Non-Executive Director of Australian community radio station 3RRR. Dene is passionate about supporting collaboration across the sector to identify best practices and to develop next practices that improve the student experience.
Email Dene: dene.cicci@rmit.edu.au
Currently the Associate Director of Student Experience at ACU and the Co-convenor of the ANZSSA Student Success PFG. With over two decades in the education sector across senior schools, adult education, and tertiary education, Sarah brings extensive experience. Her background includes governance roles on school, NGO, and social justice boards.
Sarah is adept at strategically developing projects, fostering collaboration, and effectively leading and managing teams and processes. Her commitment lies in supporting student success and enhancing their journey through higher education.
Throughout her career, she has overseen teams responsible for transition programs, orientation, support for student veterans, leadership development, peer mentoring, and ongoing support for at-risk students. Sarah played a pivotal role in evaluating and improving the first-year student transition experience.
She is enthusiastic about joining the ANZSSA Executive to contribute to promoting strategies that bolster student success and provide timely support for staff and students alike. Her leadership approach is collaborative, aiming to cultivate a positive, high-performance environment.
Email Sarah: sarah.rose@acu.edu.au
Professor Caroline Rueckert is Dean, Career Readiness at Griffith University. Prior to joining Griffith, Caroline was Director, Student Success (2018-2022) at QUT and the inaugural Program Director for First Year Initiatives at UBC, Canada. She has 20 years of experience in student engagement, employability, and international education, with particular expertise in forging whole-of-university transformational solutions to the complex challenges of 21st century learning and teaching. Inclusive partnership has always been at the core of Caroline's practice, and she is particularly passionate about developing learner-centered pedagogies that engage students and staff as partners. Her research focuses on conceptions of care in higher education and on how universities might adopt more integrated, relational approaches to supporting graduate pathways. She is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association. She is also a member of the Advisory Board for the International Journal of Students as Partners.
Email Caroline: c.rueckert@griffith.edu.au
Megan is the Director, Student Enquiry and Advising, at the University of Southern Queensland. This includes student enquiry management (inbound); student success advising (outbound retention); and student communications and events. She also manages the relationship between the University and the Student Guild and Chair the Orientation and Transition Working Party. Megan is a member of the JANZSSA Editorial Board. A former high school Drama and English teacher, she has 15 years’ experience working across the secondary and tertiary education sector. She is an award winning speaker, educator and researcher focussed on creating engaging, accessible and equitable learning experiences with and for students.
Email Megan: megan.pozzi@unisq.edu.au
Jodie is currently the Director of Student Life at Flinders University. The Student Life division includes the Student Engagement and Success Unit, Health, Counselling and Disability Services, the Oasis Community Centre, Wellbeing Services, the Student Association, Student Equal Opportunity and Gender-Based Violence response and prevention. Jodie has been a social worker for over 30 years and has worked in government and non-government organisations, including child protection, health, Defence and working with victims of crime. Jodie is committed to looking at ways we can work together across the sector to improve the student experience.
Email Jodie: jodie.zada@flinders.edu.au
Emma Morgan is the Director of Student Wellbeing & Accessibility at Griffith University, bringing over 25 years of experience in wellbeing. With a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Health Service Management, Emma combines strong academic credentials with extensive practical expertise. She has led significant organisational changes to enhance student support services, championing innovative, person-centered approaches that foster a healthier and more inclusive campus. Emma is passionate about mental health awareness and holistic wellbeing, striving to create environments where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Her leadership extends to mentoring emerging professionals and empowering students to make a positive impact in their communities. Emma is committed to advancing best practice and accessibility across the sector, supporting the ongoing development of inclusive, student-focused environments in higher education.
Email Emma: emma.morgan@griffith.edu.au
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Linda is Curtin University’s Director, Student Life and Community, leading a diverse team that works across the University and in rural, regional and remote WA communities. The team spans student support; careers, employability and leadership; mental health and wellbeing; engagement and student experience; Indigenous Cultural Capability; student equity; and social impact, aspiration-outreach and community development.
The team works collaboratively with students and academic and professional colleagues to design and deliver services and support that meet the needs of Curtin’s large and diverse student community at all Curtin campuses, online and RUSH locations. Linda prioritises knowledge-sharing, learning from each other, and supporting emerging leaders as we navigate our complex landscape.
Email Linda: linda.adnyana@curtin.edu.au
Specialising in strategic leadership and operational excellence, my role as Director of Faculty Operations at the University of Auckland centers on ensuring students are at the heart of everything we deliver. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in enhancing student experience and engagement, working closely with students and academic stakeholders to foster an inclusive and supportive environment. My background includes developing and implementing initiatives that promote student involvement, well-being, and success, such as coordinating student support programs, facilitating feedback forums, and introducing innovative engagement strategies. With comprehensive skills in programme development, academic services, teaching administration, research infrastructure, and student support, I am committed to creating a vibrant learning community that prioritises student needs and aspirations.
My collaborative way of working focuses on continuous improvement, evidenced by the development of robust KPIs and the implementation of effective continuity plans. My dedication to student engagement is reflected in our efforts to enhance communication channels, empower student voices, and deliver meaningful opportunities for personal and academic growth.
Email Vandana: v.minhas-taneja@auckland.ac.nz
Brendan Mosely is the Director, Campus Life at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. He leads the Campus Life team whose purpose is to create a vibrant, engaging and supportive campus experience to help students achieve academically, socially and personally. The team includes Student Engagement and Wellbeing, Accommodation, Sport and Recreation, and Commercial Services as well as a Communications and Marketing team and Kaiārahi. These departments all contribute to helping students develop a strong sense of belonging, supporting them through challenges, and helping them maximise the co-curricular dimensions of the University experience.
Email Brendan: b.mosely@auckland.ac.nz