For three years, Professor Sonya Stanford has been serving the Cradle Coast campus as its Pro Vice-Chancellor.
During that time, she’s been helping progress the next era of higher education for the region – one of equity, inclusion, belonging, strength and growth.
Last year, Sonya was named the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor's Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions.
It acknowledged Sonya’s standing as a trusted leader and mentor who listens and inspires confidence while demonstrating integrity and generosity.
As someone who’s working to advance education in ways that transform lives, receiving the award was an honour.
“This recognition has been very meaningful to me – I was a bit surprised and just delighted,” Professor Stanford said.
“I am proud to be part of a community of colleagues with such heart. They are so committed to making a positive difference for our region and its people. And we are achieving this, together.”
A deeply people-centred leader, Sonya finds joy in taking time to wander the campus to meet people and hear their stories.
It’s part of efforts she’s leading to ‘build a village, together’.
“Taking the time to listen, to connect, and to create spaces where everyone feels they belong has been a key focus of my role – not just with our students and staff, but also with the wider community who are welcome here."
And the work that Sonya is overseeing behind the scenes is proving just as powerful.
Anchored by the University’s Strategic Direction and Sonya’s regional strategy, the Cradle Coast campus is keeping pace with the Australian Universities Accord national agenda to lift educational participation and attainment in regional Australia.
Enrolments at the campus increased by 35 per cent last year, and strong growth is continuing in 2026 along with pathway and enabling programs, and international student applications.
Students can also now complete full degrees in Burnie to become nurses, pharmacists, social workers, psychological scientists, and doctors.
It’s all helping grow the local workforce while supporting more people to stay and study close to their homes.
“There’s a story emerging from our campus of a changing community that speaks to how our place-based approach to education is transforming people’s lives across North-West Tasmania,” Sonya said.
With Sonya’s oversight, a rich program of partnerships and opportunities are progressing at the neighbouring Makers Technology and Innovation Hub at West Park.
From community events like the ‘Symphony by the Sea’ series, part of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra livestreams, to partnering with local groups like GreenSTEM which supports young people to pursue education and careers in the STEM disciplines, it’s bringing community and aspiring learners together in the University setting.
Plans are also underway in The Makers to establish a new teaching lab for health courses supporting future workforce needs in the region.
“What excites me most is seeing how our campus is evolving and how our sense of connection is growing,” Professor Stanford said.
“Whether through partnerships, community events, or innovative programs, our work on campus and beyond is showing that education is within everyone's reach.”
Sonya's leadership is the culmination of an extensive career journey that started in social work before leading to academia.
Recently, she returned to those roots as the interim Head of Social Work.
“It’s been a real privilege to contribute to the discipline again and support the next generation of social workers who will go on to make such an important impact across our communities.”