UQ College

Rod Arthur

CEO UQ College

Rod Arthur is the CEO of UQ College Ipswich. UQ College has just been recently formed by The University of Queensland in response to developing better pathways between higher education and vocational education.

Rod has extensive previous experience across the secondary and vocational education and training sectors in a range of leadership roles at both a state and national level.

Across Queensland, Rod's accountabilities have included:

• Deputy Director-General of Training Queensland for the Department of Education and Training;
• General Manager for Queensland's Vocational Education and Training (VET) regulation system regulating Training providers and apprenticeship training;
• Chief Information Officer for the former Department of Employment and Training as a whole.

In addition, Rod has many years experience as Director of a number of TAFE colleges and institutes, including Director of the Open Learning Institute of TAFE.

At a national level, he was Chair of the National Flexible Advisory Group (FLAG), a strategic body that undertakes initiatives and establishes priorities for e-learning in VET in Australia.

Rod was Deputy Chair of the Australian Apprentices Taskforce set up by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to recommend actions to address maintenance of trade training during the Global Financial Crisis.

Rod has an outstanding depth of understanding and experience within the State of Queensland, Nationally and Internationally in the policy frameworks and delivery of Vocational Education and Training. He has also worked in schools and now is working closely with higher education in his new role.

Dale Williams

General Manager - Education & Training

Dale draws on more than 25 years of success in Vocational Education and Training (VET) activity in dual sector Universities and TAFE institutions.

His roles have included:

• Deputy Director, TAFE, in the College of Business at RMIT University, Melbourne
• Associate Director and Head of the TAFE Business School, RMIT University
• Head of Department, Management & Marketing, Victoria University

Dale has extensive entrepreneurial experience across local and international operations, building a diverse business portfolio responsive to on and off shore markets and industry, community and individual demand. He has led the development and implementation of and Associate Degree in Business, and managed a range of VET and Foundation Year programs.

Dale’s innovative leadership skills are evidenced in the many national and international VET projects he has managed. He has a Master of Business in Leadership & Organisation Dynamics and is passionate about placing students first and ensuring that the education and training provided, gives each student a quality learning experience, resulting in the best outcomes for the student.

Dr Michele John

Programs Coordinator
(Health & Community Services)

Michele has a background in health research, with a PhD in Microbiology from UQ, where she investigated the removal of viruses from water and wastewater. She later moved into the area of biotechnology, where her work involved research and development of medical diagnostic tests. The last 18 years has seen Michele develop her expertise in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, where she delivered skills training, produced learning resources and developed accredited courses and training programs across a wide range of industry sectors. 

Her most recent role was in the Department of Education and Training, supporting Queensland’s State Training Authority role for the development and endorsement of national training packages. In this role, Michele provided expert advice on VET issues and trends at a state and national level; participated on both state and national advisory committees; and represented the position of the State Training Authority to ensure policy and processes related to the development and endorsement of national training packages met Queensland’s needs for skills development.   

Michele has taken on the role of Programs Coordinator for Health & Community Services with the aim to develop delivery programs to address the emerging skills needs for both the Health & Community Services sectors.

Cecelia Jackson

Manager, Corporate & Student Services

Cecelia has over 20 years experience in frontline management in the education sector. As Registrar of a local education provider for the past 9 years, she brings extensive experience in office administration along with outstanding customer service and a passion to support students. Cecelia has a demonstrated commitment as a problem solver, and her connections and strong relationships with local, national and international key educational stakeholders are well respected.

Cecelia has also undertaken the role of International Student Officer for the past 7 years and recently completed a Diploma of International Education Services. As an ambassador for her school, and the Ipswich region, she lead a number of overseas promotional and education exhibitions focusing on regional Queensland as an education destination and to seek export opportunities for the sector.

Cecelia's background and achievements in developing and implementing enrolment, reporting and innovative administrative systems are proving very beneficial in designing responsive UQ College networks and systems. Cecelia is committed to developing effective quality assurance mechanisms and delivering outstanding student support, to enable more adults to achieve their goals and experience a positive learning environment.

Cecelia has lived in the Ipswich area for 35 years and continues to be immersed in community involvement and actively contributing to the region's future growth and development.