Associate Professor Sandy Morrison has been appointed te Whare Wānanga o Waikato Acting Dean for Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao. 



Sandy (Te Arawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Māui) is a longstanding member of the University whānau who brings leadership experience and a comprehensive knowledge of teaching and research, cross-institutional relationships and university systems and processes to the role.

In 2011 Sandy was recognised with a national award in tertiary teaching excellence, for sustained excellence in kaupapa Māori. She is the Vision Mātauranga lead for both the Antarctic Science Platform and the Deep South National Science Challenge: Changing with our Climate.



Sandy’s international reach extends to her admission to the International Adult and Community Education Hall of Fame by the University of Oklahoma in 2009, a tribute to her work in adult education and as President of the Asia South Pacific Association of Adult and Basic Education.

Last year, she completed a four year term as President of the International Council of Adult Education based in Serbia.

These organisations draw membership from universities, NGOs and community groups, and have elevated Sandy into key expert panels globally. She has a deep commitment to Pacific education and development, both in Aotearoa and the Pacific nations, and is a community health advocate for Māori women. 



Sandy will take up her role until the end of this year, to allow for the recruitment of a new Dean for Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao.