Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor Paul Mazerolle

The Vice-Chancellor and President is the University’s Chief Executive Officer and principal academic officer. The role provides strategic leadership across the University, exercises general supervision over the activities and welfare of staff and students, and advances UniSQ’s mission, reputation, and development. Working closely with Council, the executive, and the wider University community, the Vice-Chancellor and President leads the delivery of UniSQ’s strategic priorities and strengthens the University’s contribution to its regions, Australia, and the global community.

Background

Professor Paul Mazerolle is the sixth Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Southern Queensland, having commenced in March 2026. An experienced university leader and internationally recognised criminologist, he brings more than three decades of senior academic and executive leadership experience across Australia and Canada.

Before joining UniSQ, Professor Mazerolle served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick in Canada, where he led major organisational renewal, strengthened financial performance, and oversaw significant growth in research activity, student enrolments, and community engagement. His leadership was characterised by a commitment to transparency, values based decision making, and equity.

Professor Mazerolle has held senior roles at Griffith University, The University of Queensland, and the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission. His research focuses on violence prevention, life course criminology, and justice reform, and he is the founding co editor of the Journal of Developmental and Life Course Criminology.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Science (Criminal Justice) from Northeastern University, and a PhD in Criminology from the University of Maryland.

Vice-Chancellor's Executive

The Vice-Chancellor is supported by an experienced professional executive:

• Professor Paul Mazerolle, Vice-Chancellor and President (Chairperson)
• Professor Glen Coleman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education)
• Professor John Bell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research)
• Cliff Kaye, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
• Shawn Walker, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement)
• Professor Linda Deravin, Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations)
• Professor Ren Yi, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)

Our Vice-Chancellor's Executive is a key advisory committee to the Vice-Chancellor on all matters relating to the management of the University and on the setting of strategic directions and the development of policy.