Courses Accreditation Committee — special election of the Chair
| Election of | Chair of Courses Accreditation Committee | |
|---|---|---|
| Term | date of declaration to 31 December 2026 | |
| Electorate | Only members of the 2026 Academic Board are eligible to vote in this ballot. A list of the 2026 Academic Board members can be found here. | |
| Ballot | opens Thursday 19 March 2026 closes at 3pm Thursday 2 April 2026 |
|
| Voting | VOTE NOW or see how to vote |
Candidates in ballot paper order
Candidates’ statements
Karen Whelan
I am confident I would be an excellent Chair for the Courses Accreditation Committee due to my comprehensive understanding of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF), UTS Policy, and my extensive experience in curriculum design and academic governance. My in-depth knowledge of curriculum and the HESF ensures I can lead discussions around compliance and quality assurance of curriculum. My hands on experience with curriculum design for over 15 years enables me to provide practical insights into the development, review and continuous improvement of academic programs, Importantly, I previously served on the Curriculum Standards Committee at QUT, where I actively participated in academic governance, course accreditation and approvals processes. This background has equipped me with a strong ability to critically evaluate proposals and collegially work with academic and professional staff. My commitment to upholding high standards and fostering innovation in curriculum makes me well-suited to lead the Courses Accreditation Committee's work.
Nick Manganas
I am standing for Chair of the Courses Accreditation Committee because curriculum design and renewal sit at the heart of what universities do. As Head of the School of Communication, much of my work focuses on shaping programs that are relevant to students’ futures and sustainable for the university. I have extensive experience working with complex course structures, particularly combined degrees and interdisciplinary programs that sit across multiple faculties. This kind of curriculum requires careful accreditation processes and genuine collaboration between disciplines. I have led the design and accreditation of new programs at UTS and worked closely with colleagues across the university to rethink existing degrees so they respond to changing student needs and institutional priorities. If elected, I would bring a collegial and pragmatic approach to the role, supporting faculties to develop innovative courses while ensuring the academic standards and integrity that underpin any UTS degree.
How to vote in an online ballot
- Note your candidate choices and preference order
- Log in to UTS: Elections Online Polling Booth
- Choose the election you wish to vote in
- Select the candidates you wish to vote for
- Check your vote
- When you are ready, choose 'submit' to record your vote.
Conduct
Participants in elections (candidates, their representatives and voters) are expected to follow the same high standard of conduct and behaviour during the campaign process as is expected on campus generally. The behaviour of election candidates and their representatives should meet expected standards of conduct. See Code of Conduct for UTS Elections.
Concerns about security due to election-related conduct should be reported to UTS Security. Phone +61 2 9514 1192, or dial ‘6’ on any UTS phone.
Further information
The schedule for this special election has information about the election rules, Returning Officer and Courses Accreditation Committee.
See Voting for information about votes, confidentiality and results.
