From an early age, Associate Professor Sonya Stanford knew she wanted to attend university to forge a positive future for herself and others.
Born in Devonport, she’s a proud North-West local who has experienced the barriers and challenges of accessing education first-hand.
Due to her family’s circumstances, Sonya moved from town-to-town during her upbringing calling Devonport, East Devonport, Hobart, Campbell Town, Ross and Cressy home.
“I never got the chance to put down roots and commit to an educational pathway, and getting to school was hard because of geography,” Associate Professor Stanford said.
“Mum was a single parent for a time. We lived in social housing, and there were some challenges as a family to meet. I just wanted to get out and have a better life.”
This lived experience influenced the path Sonya was determined to pursue.
Prior to committing to a Bachelor of Social Work with the University of Tasmania, in years 11 and 12 she participated in programs giving young people a voice, and later volunteered at a helpline where she provided youth counselling and support too.
“Concern for social justice and human rights issues was something that sat with me from a young age living the kind of life I did,” Associate Professor Stanford said.
“I attended some schools where there were people from vulnerable populations and the poverty of some of the families was really stark. It just did not seem right that people didn’t have a home or food. It broke my heart.
“I left home quite young and had to look after myself. I got a job to save money as I was determined to attend university as soon as I could get Austudy.”
While at university, Sonya assisted in lobbying the State Government for a sexual assault support centre in the State’s North that led to the establishment of Laurel House. After graduating, she began working there as a counsellor and community educator.
Sonya provided crisis support and counselling for victim-survivors and others who experienced the negative impacts of sexual assault, and she trained police officers and public prosecutors on the appropriate handling of sexual assault cases.
Following this, Sonya worked in roles providing support across aged and disability care, homelessness and family violence before joining the University of Tasmania to teach into social work courses, a nursing sociology unit and undertake research assistant work.
“After doing my Masters, I wanted to become an academic and bring lived experience perspectives into this role. I was determined to get a PhD and it was hard, because I did that journey as a single parent.”
Excelling in leadership, Sonya’s next roles at the University included Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work, Head of Discipline for Social Work and most recently Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching Performance with the College of Arts, Law and Education.
In applying for the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Cradle Coast) role, Sonya felt it would be a privilege and a chance to serve the community even more.
“When I looked at the position, it said something about having the opportunity to care for the community and I could not get that phrase out of my head because I do feel such a strong attachment to Tasmania generally but to the North-West Coast especially,” Associate Professor Stanford said.
“The role brought together my Social Work background, and what I’d seen and learnt as an academic working in a regional area and understanding the range of barriers that impact people finishing their schooling and accessing higher education.
“This was a chance to join with people to look at how to take it to the next level and positively change lives.”
Now eight weeks into the role, Sonya’s key priorities involve embedding a welcoming and inclusive environment that inspires a strong sense of belonging for the Cradle Coast’s diverse community of learners.
“The University of Tasmania is a global leader in climate action. I’m keen to facilitate how our teaching and research can advance cultural, social and economic sustainability through developing and testing new technologies and by working together in new collaborations.”
Sonya said her social science background means she is keen to explore how STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Medicine) can have an even greater local presence and impact.
“We’ve got to broaden who we engage with as a university, and what partnerships are needed to help solve the challenges in our region while supporting its development.
“Education needs to be as accessible and relevant to as many people as possible.”