Suzanne Lazaroo
27 March 2026: The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»³öÆ· officially launched its Student Leadership Academy (SLA) on Wednesday, kicking off a program designed to empower the next generation of changemakers, and unite students and staff from across faculties.
A free grassroots initiative for students co-created by University students and staff, the Academy is focused on cultivating leadership through self-awareness, collaboration, and real-world application.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»³öÆ· Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michelle Lincoln said that the Academy was an exciting, timely initiative in a rapidly changing world.
“I truly believe that leaders are not born – leaders learn how to lead. And by starting on this journey with the Academy, you're setting yourself on the path to that lifelong learning,” she said, addressing the students at the launch.
“This has taken a lot of motivation, dedication and vision to get off the ground, and I congratulate the Academy team.”
Dr Ehssan Sakhaee, Senior Lecturer in Professional Practice and Leadership at the Faculty of Science and Technology, is the Program Lead for the SLA.
“The Academy grew from conversations last year around the best way to foster an environment in which we can support students, develop their interpersonal and leadership skills, and importantly, also support their wellbeing,” he said.
“The Indigenous concept of custodianship lies at the heart of the program – we are caretakers of our own wellbeing, and that of the people around us, and we have the capacity to develop the skills needed to lead the world into a better place.
Joining Dr Sakhaee is a cross-faculty student team comprising Research and Wellbeing Lead Michaela McGrath (Faculty of Health), Project Management Lead Romaisha Tauseef (Faculty of Science and Technology), Media and Communications Lead Atulya Manoj (Faculty of Arts and Design), Events Manager Seku Drame (Faculty of Science and Technology/Faculty of Business, Government and Law) and Multimedia Lead Shomit Basu (Faculty of Science and Technology).
Last year, Ms McGrath served as the 2025 Higher Degree by Research Student Representative on the Student Representative Council and the University Research Committee – she’s drawing on both experiences to inform her work with the SLA.
“I really didn't think of myself as a leader – I just saw some problems that needed solving,” she said.
“I quickly realised that leadership isn't about having a title, it's just about showing up – and sometimes that means stepping into uncomfortable spaces, simply because it matters.
“Sometimes all it takes is for someone else to open the door and believe that you belong in the room, for you to also start believing that you belong – with the SLA, we aim to create space for growth [in that belief], to give everyone the chance to build confidence and learn from each other.”
The flexible program comprises fortnightly sessions; the first will be held on 8 April, and the program will run until the end of September. Sessions will include online modules, in-person workshops, and recorded sessions hosted on Canvas, complemented by guest speakers and panels featuring industry and community leaders.
Taking a structured approach, the program begins with an understanding of leadership and self.
“The foundation of leadership is knowing yourself, and what you bring to being a leader,” Professor Lincoln said.
“That includes being aware of your biases, preferences and trigger points – but most importantly, of your values, and how you can enact them in everything you do. That will help you to lead with authenticity.
“Also consider where and how you want to make an impact – it’s not something that you have to decide immediately, but university is a great place to explore your passions, and how you can make a difference.”
The program will then move to focus on leading others through learning about communication and empathy.
“Once that is mastered, then we can look at collectively leading change,” said Dr Sakhaee.
Students who complete this year’s program at the Academy will be eligible for an advanced program next year, now in the planning phase.
“The world we're stepping into, it's not easy – we’re seeing global challenges on an increasingly complex scale,” Ms McGrath said.
“And when we look at leadership on a global scale, it can be quite demoralising at times … missing empathy, integrity and the ability to bring people together to make inclusive and meaningful decisions. That’s the kind of leadership that the world desperately needs at the moment – that is what we hope to grow with the SLA.”
For more information or to join the Student Leadership Academy, email UC.sla@canberra.edu.au.
Photos by Shomit Basu.