Professor Jennifer McDonell

Biography

Professional Experience and Background

Jennifer McDonell is currently serving in a senior executive leadership position  as Executive Principal-Student Experience at UNE until September 2027.  In this role she leads a large, complex, multi-campus portfolio with a primary focus on delivering quality data-informed, integrated and automated student services, including across  Domestic and International Admissions, Student Connect, Progression and Retention, Student Engagement, International Student Services, Scholarships, Library Services, the Student Grievance Unit, Graduation, Orientation, Psychological Services, the Student Accessibility, Diversity and Wellness Office, the Student Council, and the Student Experience Operations team.

Jennifer studied Arts/Law at the University of Sydney and holds a PhD, MA (Class I), and BA (Honours Class I with first place in cohort) from the University of Sydney. Prior to joining UNE, she  was employed in full-time balanced teaching and research positions at the University of Sydney (7 years), UNSW Canberra (3 years), and Macquarie University (1 year), during which time she  was known for her commitment to delivering outstanding teaching and learning experiences across diverse cohorts. She has  international teaching experience with the Dickens Project consortia of  the University of California, the Unuversity of Geneva,  and  other global partners, and her  scholarly impact is evidenced through prestigious publications, research awards, competitive fellowships and funded international keynote presentations. Public recognition for Jennifer's  teaching and research leadership includes national, state and institutional awards, including for innovative curricula, and exceptional, sustained mentorship of higher degree research students and early career researchers (see below). Jennifer has secured and supervised as Principal Supervisor two UNE Postdoctoral Fellows, Dr Kate Wright and Dr John C Ryan in the area of environmental humanities.

Prior to her appointment as Executive-Principal, Jennifer held the positions of Chair of the UNE Academic Board, Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee, Chair of the Research Committee, Member of Council, and Executive Advisor to the Education Quality Directorate (UNE). Previously, she served for 8 years in academic leadership positions at discipline, Department, and School levels, as a Head of Department, Deputy Head of School, Acting Head of School, Head of discipline and Chair of the School of Arts Teaching and Learning Committee.

Jennifer is a Life Member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (elected 2011), is undertaking the Executive Certificate in Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.