Commitment to culture and industry honour
CQUniversity’s Barbara Miller has received a 2025 Australian Higher Education Industrial Association (AHEIA) Higher Education Award - recognising her dedication to people, culture and leadership in the university sector.
She received the prestigious Leadership Excellence Award which celebrates outstanding leaders who demonstrate vision, integrity and a sustained commitment to higher education workplace excellence.
With more than a decade of service at CQU as Director of People and Culture, Mrs Miller has become a cornerstone of the University’s leadership team.
“This is my 15th year at CQU, and I am grateful every day for working in such a fantastic environment with amazing people. I could not do what I do without the wonderful people and culture team,” Mrs Miller said.
“They are truly the best team of people to work with both personally and professionally. They take what they do so seriously – but we have fun while we do it.”
She described the award as deeply humbling but credits her success to the people around her.
“The award certainly isn’t about me, it’s about the team that surrounds me, who helps me achieve the best outcomes for our staff. I have the best job in the world, and to be recognised for doing it is so humbling; I appreciate it more than I can say,” she said.
“I am also very much supported by our Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp and the rest of the executive and wider leadership team.
“They share the highs and lows of what we do, and we are all very much aligned with our mission to change lives through education and empowerment.”
Mrs Miller was nominated by CQUniversity's Manager of Workplace Relations Sharon Parr who said she was inspired by her department leader's unwavering commitment to staff wellbeing, workplace equity and strategic organisational development.
“Right from the start, it was clear that Barb wasn’t just breaking ceilings – she was changing the entire room. She leads with a unique blend of compassion and integrity, and her door has, and always is, open to everyone regardless of title or rank,” Ms Parr said.
“Barb’s the kind of person who bakes cakes to raise money for good causes on a Monday, and by Friday is delivering on complex strategic outcomes that not only shape the future of our University - but has a ripple effect across the industry.
“The entire Higher Education industry knows Barbara Miller’s name, and she is spoken of with the highest regard. For those who know her – who have seen her in action – understand just how much she has given, and how richly she deserves this honour.”
