The school year is now in full swing for Greater Shepparton’s students, and among the fresh faces is La Trobe’s new Head of Shepparton Campus, Laura Baker. Whilst her work in a number of roles has sent her across the globe, Laura Baker is at heart a local.
She grew up in Euroa, and since returning to her hometown in 2020, has been closely involved with community efforts. Her new title as Head of Campus at La Trobe follows her time working just down the road at GOTAFE as Executive Director of Student Experience and Director of Future Students and Partnerships from 2022 to 2025. “The first month has been really fantastic. I’ve been getting to know lots of different people in our community and welcoming our students onto campus.”
This marks her start at La Trobe, but Laura’s involvement with the university began during her role at GOTAFE, where she contributed to Goulburn Murray Tertiary Education Partnership, or the GMTEP. This program is focused on connecting Shepparton’s tertiary education providers and making pathways for students to continue their studies. “A lot of the work we did was joint promotion with Open Days and formalizing articulation pathways so students could finish at TAFE and then get credits to further study at La Trobe.”
Laura has worked in a couple different industries, whether it’s local government, corporate innovation, marketing or interviewing world leaders about climate change. These experiences inspired her move into education – “I was seeing more and more how important education was in local communities.”
Whilst she says it’s too early to confirm any big plans just yet, Laura brings an interest in innovation and efficiency into her new role. “One of the areas that we’re really focusing on this year is how we bring the research and innovation agenda to Shepparton. We’ve got so many brilliant researchers across La Trobe,” said Laura.
Taking over from Elizabeth Capp, who held the role for over seven years, Laura Baker said she looks forward to carrying on with the foundations the former Head has laid. “She was always such a supportive, inclusive leader.” “I plan to continue that approach- the way she would greet everyone, make everyone feel like the campus was their home.”
