2023 STUDENT AWARDS

Thursday 18 May

Welcome to VU Student Awards

Held annually, the VU Student Awards are an important recognition of students who strive to achieve excellence. Victoria University takes pride in student achievements and is honoured to recognise and congratulate the award recipients on their outstanding success throughout their studies.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of our incredible students.

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COLLEGE OF ARTS, BUSINESS, LAW, EDUCATION & IT

COLLEGE OF SPORT, HEALTH & ENGINEERING

DEANS SCHOLAR AWARD

UNDERGRADUATE

Mikayla Jones

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Mary Baras-Miller

Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

POSTGRADUATE

Rhiannon Danielle Healy

Master of Clinical Exercise Science

and Rehabilitation

Virginia Mitchell

Master of Education

CONGRATULATIONS!

Download the program to view all of our award winners, citation recipients, and sponsors.

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & DONORS

These achievements are supported by the wonderful work of academic and professional staff assisting our students to start well and finish brilliantly, as well as generously being sponsored by our Industry Partners and Philanthropic Donors. Thank you all for the contributions you have made to the success of our students.

SPONSORS & DONORS

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Acknowledgment of Country

We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Kulin Nation (Melbourne Campuses), the Eora Nation (Sydney Campus) and the Yulara/YUgarapul and Turrbal Nation (Brisbane Campus) who are the traditional owners of University land.

To learn more, please contact the Moondani Balluk Academic Unit on +61 3 9919 2836 or [email protected]

1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)

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Mary Baras-Miller

Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Mary Baras-Miller is a lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor, having graduated with her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2022. She was the recipient of the University Medal for Academic Excellence in 2022 and the Paul Booth Medal in 2019. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mary worked as an Associate at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and at various State courts and tribunals. Mary is keenly interested in administrative law and judicial review.

COLLEGE OF ARTS, BUSINESS, LAW, EDUCATION & IT

COLLEGE OF SPORT, HEALTH & ENGINEERING

Virginia Mitchell

Master of Education

Virginia (Ginny) is a lifelong learner and attributes this to her deep sense of curiosity. This has led her to some unique places as an educator, including leading multi-week outdoor and experiential learning trips across Australia and to over 15 developing countries with students. She is professionally motivated by supporting students as they embrace new opportunities to learn more about planetary health, themselves, each other and the diverse environments they’re in and are travelling through.

She has a Bachelors in Exercise and Health Science, Graduate Cert in Higher Education and Diplomas in Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Based Learning. She is keen to continue her postgraduate research into the design and delivery of equitable educational

opportunities for Australian students using systems-thinking based approaches. When not studying, she’s traveling and playing with her family, including Biscuit, the kelpie/labrador.

Mikayla Jones

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Mikayla was a driven student with a passion for psychology, inspiring her to make positive impacts within her community. She graduated from Victoria University with First-Class Honours in Psychology, where she demonstrated her intellectual capacity and deep understanding of psychological principles and practices. Her academic achievements are highlighted by her exceptional GPA and rewards for outstanding academic performance.

During her time at Victoria University, Mikayla conducted research on disordered eating behaviours in bisexual women, focusing on the impact of discrimination on their psychological distress. Her thesis, “Does Psychological Distress Mediate the Relationship Between Bisexual Discrimination and Disordered Eating Behaviours in Bi+ Women?”, was one of the top theses in her cohort and is

currently in the midst of being published.

Mikayla also dedicated her time to extracurricular activities, particularly volunteering. She actively participated in Victoria University’s volunteering program, the VU Vollies, where she contributed her skills and expertise towards other areas of the university.

Mikayla’s exceptional academic achievements and unwavering commitment to bettering her community make her a true asset to the field of psychology and a representation of a VU student. As she continues to pursue her academic and professional goals, she remains dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others through her research, mentorship, and volunteer work.

Rhiannon Danielle Healy

Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation

Rhiannon is a dedicated and passionate student in the field of clinical exercise science and physiology. Rhiannon is well known to her lecturers as a high achieving student who is always willing to challenge herself and ask insightful questions. She received outstanding feedback from both internal and external academics and industry professionals during her Master of Clinical Exercise Rehabilitation degree.

While she was studying full-time at Victoria University, Rhiannon actively engaged in the community, opened her own business and established an internal network of educators and practitioners in exercise rehabilitation. Beyond her high marks throughout both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, Rhiannon pursued further education and research through completing a minor thesis project that ultimately received high commendations (H1) from thesis examiners. This work has already resulted in the development of academic manuscripts and, combined with her excellent marks in her post graduate degree, led to her receiving a prestigious PhD scholarship at Victoria University. The minor thesis ignited Rhiannon’s passion for research, and in her PhD she is currently exploring the role of exercise in improving hormone health in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.