Fellow of the University of Wollongong
Citation orated by Dr Peter Robertson
Chancellor, I present Julie Renwick.
Julie Renwick has been a fundamental driver in UOW College Australia’s success, leading exceptional gains across program development, student outcomes and governance with more than 25 years of distinguished service.
Born and educated in Broken Hill, Julie attained high-level teaching qualifications and taught in schools in both Australia and England. She spent several years teaching at Shellharbour/Wollongong TAFE before beginning her long association with UOW College Australia – then Wollongong University College – in 1995.
Joining UOW College Australia as a teacher, Julie was energised by her students’ determination to overcome barriers to achieve academic success. Securing the role of Program Manager for UOW College’s English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students Program (ELICOS) in 1999, she quickly built a reputation as a principled and effective leader.
Julie successively held critical roles with long-term positive impact, from redesigning the ELICOS curriculum to providing academic leadership across the UOW College Australia network and leading a renewed focus on governance. The latter saw the organisation attain higher education provider, RTO and CRICOS status, and Julie’s leading role was recognised with two ITC staff awards – 2009 Innovation or Quality Improvement Award and 2010 Employee of the Year.
Appointed General Manager in 2013, Julie steered UOW College Australia to bold new heights. She oversaw the development of countless new programs including the Connect to UOW course for students from low socio-economic backgrounds – which enjoyed a 100 per cent completion rate in its first year. Under Julie’s leadership the College also established the University Entrance Certificate for domestic students, an internationally accredited Occupational English Test Centre and the University Access Program for mature age students, along with multiple Certificate IV, Diploma and vocational programs spanning nursing, aged care, early childhood education, engineering, information technology, community services, legal services, fitness and more.
Under Julie’s watch, student outcomes grew exponentially. UOW College Australia delivered more services to more students and achieved the highest enrolments, progression rates and satisfaction scores in the organisation’s history. She introduced impactful student support programs including mentoring, buddy, and wellness schemes, ran successful English for Tertiary Studies offshore courses, and hosted study tours from across the Asia-Pacific. The college garnered multiple international awards, and in 2016 Julie herself received the International Education Association of Australia Award for Excellence in Leadership.
Julie’s significant contribution to academic and governance leadership underpins every aspect of the UOW College Australia we know today. Julie has also advocated widely across the tertiary sector, serving on multiple boards and committees including the University of Wollongong Academic Senate.
Chancellor, Julie is an outstanding leader of the highest integrity and commitment. Through her service to UOW College Australia, she has profoundly influenced the future of the organisation and those who have passed through it.
It is an honour to present Julie Renwick to be admitted as a Fellow of the University of Wollongong.