Each year, we recognise the exceptional achievements of our alumni, both personally and professionally, within their local communities and on a global scale. We seek alumni who inspire others and make a significant impact in their respective fields. By celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of our alumni across various industries and communities, we aim to inspire the next generation of students and create a lasting global impact.

We honour alumni who embody the Charles Sturt University ethos, Yindyamarra Winhanganha, a Wiradjuri phrase meaning the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.

Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Awards are now closed.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. We look forward to announcing our winners soon!

Key dates for 2025

• Nominations open: Monday 7 April 2025
• Nominations close: Extended to midnight Monday 2 June 2025 (AEST).
• Winners announced: Monday 1 September 2025

Awards Process Guidelines and Procedure.

Award Categories

• Professional Excellence chevron_right

  This award recognises outstanding leaders in their industry or profession who have made or are making significant and positive impact on their communities, their industry, or the world.

  Criteria

  1. Alumni who demonstrate outstanding contributions to a workplace, profession or industry that is noteworthy and exceptional (at a local, national, or international level).
  2. Who accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
  3. Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.
• Research Excellence chevron_right

  This award recognises outstanding research leaders whose research is changing lives, or whose scholarly contributions have made a substantial impact to their field of research.

  Criteria

  1. Alumni who demonstrate sustained contribution to their field of research at local, national and/or international levels (and recognition at national and/or international levels).
  2. Whose scholarly contributions and associated outreach efforts have measurably and significantly improved the lives of people through engagement with their research outputs (including through industry, community, government uptake of research findings/tools/policy recommendations etc).
  3. Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful, and inspiring.
• Social Impact chevron_right

  This award recognises leaders/individuals whose professional or voluntary work has generated significant social impact to a group or wider community(ies).

  Criteria

  1. Alumni who demonstrate the positive impact they have had on their community and/or the University through their work in the profit, non-profit or public sector. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, positive contributions through social innovation, volunteerism, community development and/or corporate social responsibility.
  2. Who demonstrates significant, long-term impact of their contribution to their community and/or the University.
  3. Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful, and inspiring.

• Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity chevron_right

  This award recognises alumni who have made an extraordinary impact through innovation in their industry or profession. This encompasses all industry sectors, for example agriculture, technology, allied health, the arts, culture, and/or creative sectors.

  Criteria

  1. Alumni who demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial mindset and/or creative approach in their industry, profession or area of expertise.
  2. Who has achieved recognition as an innovator or creative force within their industry, profession or area of expertise.
  3. Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all of the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.
• Young Alumni chevron_right

  This award recognises extraordinary achievements of our new graduates across both the professional and service to community fields.  Nominees must be under the age of 35.

  Criteria

  1. Alumni who are under the age of 35 and have demonstrated outstanding contributions to a workplace, profession or industry that is noteworthy and exceptional (at a local, national, or international level).
  2. Alumni who are under age 35 and whose accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
  3. Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.
• First Nations Excellence chevron_right

  This award recognises outstanding achievement or contribution by a First Nations alumni in their chosen industry, profession or field.

  Criteria

  1. First Nations alumni who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their community, industry or profession who have made or are making a significant difference in both local and/or wider communities or throughout the world.
  2. Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful, and inspiring.

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renèe Leon, announces the recipients of the 2024 Alumni Awards.

2024 Winners and Highly Commended

Read Media Release

Professional Excellence

WINNER
Alumni of the year - Jenna  Mayhew

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dale Hurley

Learn more

Research Excellence

WINNER
Alumni of the year - Professor Pornsak Sriamornsak

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dr Heather McCormack

Learn more

Social Impact

WINNER
Alumni of the year - Kamin Gock

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Nadia Teong

Learn more

Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity

WINNER
Alumni of the Year - Sally-Anne Stollznow

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Sandy MacQuarrie

Learn more

First Nations Excellence

WINNER
Alumni of the year - Fiona Harrison

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Assoc Professor Brett Biles

Learn more

Young Alumni

WINNER
Alumni of the year - Emmeline Rocks

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dilan Jayasekara

Learn more

Our past winners and highly commended

If you missed out on congratulating these these winners and highly commended you still can!

2023 winners and highly commended

2022 winners and highly commended

2021 winners and highly commended

2020 winners and highly commended

The most rewarding part of my career is undertaking research that can provide children with the best start to life. The highlights always come from seeing the impact upon the children I work with; the smallest change can be the biggest joy.

Winner of the 2020 Charles Sturt University Young Alumnus of the Year award

Dr Sarah Verdon BHlthSc(SpPath)(Hons), PhD

Alumni with impact

Find out more about our alumni who are doing great things all around the world.

Read alumni stories

Thrive magazine

Check out the latest edition of Thrive - our alumni magazine

Find out more