Nathan Towney appointed deputy vice-chancellor at University of Newcastle

Nathan Towney has been officially appointed as the deputy vice-chancellor of engagement and equity at the University of Newcastle following a year in an interim role.

A Wiradjuri man originally from Wellington, New South Wales, Towney transitioned from a professional rugby league career to academia. He previously played for the Canterbury Bulldogs for three years before injuries ended his sporting career.

Towney, who was the first in his family to complete university, entered higher education through the university’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander admission scheme. He expressed a passion for shaping the university experience for others, noting that higher education can often seem unachievable for certain communities.