Mrs Karen Seary
Master of Education Guidance and Counselling (USQ) Bachelor of Education (CQU) Diploma of Teaching Secondary (MGCAE)Associate Dean - School of Access Education
School of Access Education
Building 401 - Room G.44
Karen Seary has worked in Higher Education for 30 years, initially employed in 1994 as the Campus Coordinator and lecturer within CQUniversity's Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies Course (STEPS). Karen's present role at CQUniversity is as the Associate Dean, School of Access Education which involves the overall management of the STEPS Course and the Academic Learning Centre (HE and VET).
Karen has been recognised worldwide as a national champion for change by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) and Equity Partners in Higher Education Australasia (EPHEA), as part of the World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED). This award recognises and celebrates the life changing work of student equity practitioners across the world in supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, into and through higher education.
Karen is also currently the Chair of the National Association of Enabling Educators Australia (NAEEA) bringing together colleagues from 39 Australian universities offering similar courses to STEPS.
Background
Prior to her 30 years involvement with Enabling education within the Higher Education sector, Karen taught secondary school students from Years 8-12 for 16 years in the English and Social Science discipline areas.
Universities Studied At
Mount Gravatt Teachers College
Central Queensland University
University of Southern Queensland
Universities Worked At
Central Queensland University
Awards
Pro Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence
Vice Chancellor's Teacher of the Year Award
Carrick Citation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
CQUniversity's 25 Years Service Award
WAHED 2020 Champion of Change Award
Previous teaching
16 years teaching at the secondary school level in Education Queensland
Teaching the Preparation Skills and Academic Writing units in the STEPS Course 1994-2003
Professional Experience
2011- present
Associate Dean - School of Access Education, CQUniversity (Bundaberg)
2003-2011
Director of Studies Academic Learning Services Unit, CQUniversity (Bundaberg)
2002 - 2009
Head of STEPS Program CQUniversity (Bundaberg)
1994 - 2009
Campus Coordinator and Lecturer - Division of Teaching and Learning, CQUniversity (Bundaberg)
1978-1994
Teacher - Education Queensland (Murgon State High School and Bundaberg State High School)
Professional Memberships
National Association of Enabling Educators Australia
Queensland College of Teachers
Responsibilities
As Associate Dean, overall management of CQUniversity's Enabling course (STEPS), the academic learning services (ALC in Higher Education and in VET).
Professional Interests
Karen Seary has a professional interest in transition to and success in higher education for underrepresented groups within the Higher Education sector.
Key Achievements
2007 Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling) - University of Southern Queensland
2003 Lifeline Telephone Counsellors Course - Lifeline Australia
2000 Bachelor of Education - CQUniversity
1977 Diploma of Education (Secondary) - Mount Gravatt Teachers' College
Curriculum and Pedagogy - English and Literacy Curriculum and Pedagogy (excl. LOTE, ESL and TESOL)
Other Education - Other education not elsewhere classified
Enabling Education
Specialist Studies in Education - Inclusive education