Each year, through the Vice-Chancellor and President’s Awards for Excellence, exceptional achievements are recognised and rewarded in the key areas of:
- learning and teaching
- research
- engagement
- service
In 2021, there were six recipients of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s Awards for Excellence and one commendation.

For Excellence in Learning & Teaching
Mental Health & Neuroscience (MHN) Postgraduate Team
Dr Christina Driver & Elizabeth Askew
Thompson Institute
Dr Driver and Ms Askew are recognised for their instrumental role in the development and delivery of the highly innovative and unique online MHN postgraduate program. It is evident that a lot of thought and planning has gone into the development of this new program including the use of a variety of strategies and tools to engage and interact with students in a fully online environment. The high-quality and dedicated learning and teaching work undertaken by both, and in particular, the combination of Dr Driver's outstanding teaching skills and Ms Askew's educational design skills has resulted in impressive student evaluation scores and a successful and growing program.

For Excellence in Research
Associate Professor Tomer Ventura
Associate Professor of Science
School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Associate Professor Ventura has a strong research profile with quality publications and substantial income including an ARC Discovery Grant and National Science Foundation funding. Associate Professer Ventura has established good industry connections, commercialised technology and built capacity at USC. While at the same time, managing a teaching load and significant HDR supervisions and completions. Associate Professor Ventura's service to USC through coordinator roles is significant and to be commended and his research leadership and international collaborations are of benefit to the university. Associate Professor Ventura is recognised as a highly valued and respected member of the School and USC.

For Excellence in Research (Early Career Researcher)
Dr Susan Rayment-McHugh
Senior Lecturer in Criminology & Justice
School of Law & Society
In the relatively short time that Dr Rayment-McHugh has been with USC, her achievements have been impressive. Dr Rayment-McHugh has secured grants from multiple sources and has solid publishing outputs. Research leadership is demonstrated through a role as co-leader of the Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit, as well as roles as an Associate Editor, and board member for a community organisation. Research outputs that have considerable impact, coupled with substantial service contributions, are of benefit to the school, the university and the wider community. Dr Rayment-McHugh's positive research trajectory on a balanced academic portfolio speaks to her collaborative contributions and committment and is to be commended.

For Excellence in Engagement
MIE (Make, Integrate, Explore) Lab Team
Natalie McMaster, Peter Embleton, Ian Sinclair, Sarah Rennick, Amanda Finch, Deborah Kelsey, Madeleine Clarkin
The MIE Lab team has successfully established and expanded a program that is important to USC and the community. The team has brought together people from across USC, connected with industry and created strategic and productive partnerships externally. The program connects with a number of USC priorities, has received external recognition and attracted grant funding. The commitment of this small team has resulted in the successful delivery of an exciting and exemplary program that makes a real difference in the community.

For Excellence in Service
TCSI (Tertiary Collection of Student Information) Project Team
Joanne Davey, Melissa Waterson, Jason McIntyre, Lucy Holthusen, Megan Chatham
The TCSI Project team is recognised for their ability to successfully deliver a difficult project to ensure the University continues to satisfy its legislative requirements. This was a complex project involving multiple stakeholders with considerable compliance and timeframe requirements. The team's tireless work, high level of expertise, collaboration, commitment to resolution finding and collegial approach within the team, across USC and with the sector is impressive and to be commended. The team's commitment to representing USC's interests and reaching a successful outcome is testament to the strength of the team.
For Excellence in Service
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Team
Robyn Warn, Dannielle Cochrane, Tammy Thompson, Sonya Smith, Aileen Spalding, Allison Wright, Alysha Edwards, Cathy-Anne Jones, Kate Gill, Kylie Ward, Lynette Rosenhart, Miriam Guscott, Raymart Walker, Robin Godfrey, Tania Halliday, Bernadette Thomson, Beth Pinel, Emily Hartigan, Frances Martin, Jodie Winning, Nichola Waters, Shauna Jackson, Susan Hartnett, Tarryn Steward
The WIL team is recognised for their ability to support student progression and graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has the team coordinated an impressive number of student placements in 2021, but they have also improved processes and systems to deliver efficiencies which have resulted in reduced risk to USC, cost savings, improved recording and reporting capabilities and improved USC reputation with hosts. The dedication of the team to streamlining complex processes is of significant benefit to USC students, host organisations and the University.
Commendation:
For Excellence in Engagement
Ms Mervat Quirke
Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Thompson Institute
Ms Quirke is recognised for her contributions and achievements in engaging business, organisations and individuals and building partnerships to the benefit of USC and the Thompson Institute. Of particular note is the portraits of mankind initiative as a creative form of engagement that has built important relationships. Ms Quirke is an outstanding example of an individual engaging deeply and broadly and this unique approach to engagement is to the obvious benefit of the community. The mentoring of colleagues demonstrates commitment and generosity and Ms Quirke is considered a very important member of the USC community.