Massey University has appointed an Australian university leader as its new vice-chancellor.
Jan Thomas, vice-chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland, will take up the role at Massey next year. Photo: Supplied
Jan Thomas, vice-chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland, will replace Steve Maharey who is leaving at the end of this year.
Professor Thomas will be Massey's sixth vice-chancellor and the second woman to hold the position.
The university's council said she had a background in veterinary science.
She had held deputy vice-chancellor positions at the University of Notre Dame Australia and at Murdoch University, before taking up the position at the University of Southern Queensland, in Toowoomba, in 2012.
Prof Thomas said in a statement that Massey served New Zealand in a unique and important way through its multiple campuses and distance education.
"I plan to amplify the university's research excellence, and promote a real world learning experience for students to prepare them to lead in the rapidly transforming workforce of the future," she said.
She will take up her new role on 23 January, 2017.
