Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement)

Shawn Walker

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) is responsible for the leadership and management of key engagement activities at UniSQ. The position focusses on connecting the University’s teaching and research with its diverse communities locally, nationally and globally, in order to create economic, social and cultural value. Shawn provides leadership for the University's brand and marketing, media and communications, advancement, alumni relations, community engagement and partnerships.

Background

Shawn has close to 20 years’ experience developing high performing engagement functions within Australian universities.

Shawn joins the University from Charles Sturt University (CSU) where he held the position of Chief Marketing Officer. In that position, he oversaw a significant redesign of the marketing function and delivered an enterprise wide brand transformation project. The brand project won the 2020 Australian Marketing Institute Award for Brand Revitalisation and its supporting campaign ‘It’s What We Do’ won the 2020 Universities Australia Marketing, Communications and Development Awards in the category of best campaign.        

Prior to this, Shawn held various leadership roles at La Trobe University within the Division of Marketing and External Relations. He led the establishment of a new domestic sales and student recruitment function including a B2B capability to increase alternative revenue to the university. He also oversaw an enterprise-wide customer experience strategy.

Previously, Shawn held management positions at Australian Catholic University (ACU), across marketing, communications, alumni and development and external relations. He was involved in the establishment of ACU’s Brisbane campus at Banyo and later the expansion of their Melbourne campus.

Memberships and affiliations

Shawn holds an Executive Master of Business Administration with Distinction from RMIT University and a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from Australian Catholic University.  Shawn is a Fellow and Certified Practising Marketer (CPM) of the Australian Marketing Institute, and a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.