University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill will become the next chair of the Regional Universities Network (RUN) on Thursday 17 November.
 
This network includes USC as a core partner alongside Federation University, University of Southern Queensland, Southern Cross University, University of New England and Central Queensland University.
 
Professor Hill will take over from Professor Jan Thomas, who has left the University of Southern Queensland to take up an appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Massey University in New Zealand.

Professor Hill said RUN had become an effective voice for tertiary education in regional Australia since it was established in 2011.

“RUN has been instrumental in raising the profile of our universities in Canberra and reinforcing our importance in bridging the educational gap between regional and metropolitan Australia,” he said.

“RUN has also been able to demonstrate our role in servicing equity groups and building regional economies and communities.”
 
“I look forward to chairing RUN at a time when the government is poised to make major policy changes.
 
“I’d like to extend my thanks to Professor Thomas and the other vice-chancellors who have previously served as RUN chair for the positive impact they have made.”
 
RUN’s Executive Director Dr Caroline Perkins has welcomed Professor Hill to the role and thanked Professor Thomas for her service.