Chris Ronan
President & Advocacy Director
Chris is the CEO of Country Universities Centre and has worked in the higher education and not-for-profit sectors across the United States, New Zealand, and Australia in a range of management and consultancy roles. He has also worked on national research projects with the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education and the University of South Australia in Regional, Rural and Remote higher education policy, student equity, widening participation and rural student transitions.
Sam Avitaia
Vice-President & Administration Director
Working in the Australian tertiary education sector for over 25 years, Sam is the manager of the University of Wollongong’s regional campus in Bega NSW. Sam grew up in the Bega Valley and has a passion for providing education opportunities to rural people from diverse backgrounds. She is also the manager of the Bega Valley Innovation Hub and most recent paper is “Having a yarn: From one rural student to another, practical in-school programs demystifying university and enabling student progression”.
Adam Gowen
Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement
SPERA Treasurer
Adam is a Wiradjuri man with cultural connections to Yuin Country and Peoples. He is passionate about Indigenous ways of being, relating, and knowing. He holds a first class honours degree in Indigenous Studies (UOW), and a Graduate Certificate in Theology from Indigenous perspectives (University of Divinity/Whitley College/NAIITS). Adam is the Centre Manager of Country Universities Centre (CUC) Southern Shoalhaven, based in Ulladulla. Adam also sits on the board of two other Not-For-Profit organisations and volunteers as an Advanced Firefighter (AF) with the RFS.
John Guenther
Research Director
John Guenther is the managing editor of AIJRE, and researcher with 20 years’ experience. In the last 10 years he has intentionally focused on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote parts of Australia. He led the Remote Education Systems project under the CRC for Remote Economic Participation (2011-2016) and is currently the Research Leader for Education and Training with the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, based in Darwin, Northern Territory. John is a leading academic in the field of remote education and has published widely on his findings, often under the banner of ‘Red Dirt Thinking’.
Natalie Nelmes
Secretary
Natalie Nelmes became the Director of Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) in 2015 after serving for five years as the Centre’s Special Projects Manager. Living and working across remote and regional WA for more than 30 years, Natalie works with the firm belief that communication and collaboration can open doors to new ways of thinking and finding solutions to community issues. It’s exactly the approach GUC took in establishing the first not for profit regional university centre in Australia.
Danielle Keenan
Public Officer
Danielle is the Director of Student Services for the Country Universities Centre (CUC), where her focus is on enhancing the student experience and fostering inclusive learning environments. With a keen interest in student success and growth, she collaborates closely with CUC Centres, developing innovative approaches that empower students both academically and personally. Danielle is also the Chair of the Regional University Centre Network Advisory and executive committee member for the Far West Country Education Foundation.
Mark McLay
General Executive Member – Schools & Partnerships
Mark commenced in the role of CEO of Country Education Partnership in January 2022. Mark has over thirty years experience in Education, twenty three years of those as Principal. He has experience working in rural South Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria. Mark has a Dip Ed in Educational Psychology and is passionate about supporting the mental health of both students and staff in rural and regional areas.
Sue Barry
General Executive Member – Vocational Education
Sue has been the Centre Manager of the Uni Hub Spencer Gulf based in Kadina on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, since 2021. With over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and Care as well as the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector across the Northern Territory and South Australia, Sue brings extensive expertise to her role. She is deeply committed to enhancing education, career opportunities, and pathways for remote students, ensuring they can access tertiary education locally without needing to relocate.