Deakin appoints new Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Development

Professor Fletcher commenced in the position on Monday 14 October 2024

In her new role, Professor Fletcher will work with Deakin Distinguished Professor Mark Rose, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Innovation, to advance the Deakin Indigenous Strategy 2023-2028.

She will also work with the office of the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Deakin's National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation Institute (NIKERI), and faculties to create an education and work environment at Deakin that allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff to be successful, safe and supported.

Deakin Distinguished Professor Liz Johnson, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, congratulated Professor Fletcher on her new role.

Professor Johnson said Professor Fletcher was well-equipped to build the cross-institutional partnerships required to elevate Indigenous matters and promote cultural awareness among students and staff.

'Professor Fletcher will adopt an internal strategic lens to drive strategies and initiatives in Indigenous education and employment across the University to build an embedded environment that values, enables, supports and celebrates Indigenous achievement, knowledges and cultures,' Professor Johnson said.

'As an Indigenous leader, Professor Fletcher will build supportive networks with a range of staff to promote collaboration and advance the Deakin Indigenous Strategy, including guiding and mentoring emerging Indigenous leaders and, in collaboration with the senior Indigenous leadership group, supporting Indigenous staff and students.'

Announced last year, the Deakin Indigenous Strategy 2023-2028 lays a path for a whole-of-University approach to the continued investment in the success of First Nations students and staff.

Professor Fletcher said she felt humbled and privileged to enter the role and the timing of the appointment one year on from the Voice Referendum was significant.

'It is a testament to Deakin’s authentic commitment and investment in progressing our Indigenous strategy, and more broadly, in continuing to lift and activate shared responsibility in Treaty and Truth-Telling, and the role universities have in advancing social justice,' Professor Fletcher said.

'I acknowledge the great work already undertaken across our Deakin community, and the leadership of Distinguished Professor Mark Rose and his team.

'My focus will be to co-develop a more cohesive, connected and holistic landscape, that is enriched and increasingly dimensioned. One through which our multiple communities can be guided and journey, and where our Indigenous students, staff and broader communities may be at the centre of their own stories through the liberating power of education.'

Prior to taking on the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Development position, Professor Fletcher was the Director of NIKERI.