A visionary leader and Vice-Chancellor says farewell to ECU

A decision he's never regretted, though in the wake of his 17 years as a Vice-Chancellor in the UK and Australia he is happy to be returning to Bonnie Scotland to 'be there' for his family.

In a heartfelt interview with former journalist and ECU Senior Media Adviser, Alexis Donkin, Steve said his focus has now shifted and in a nice way… it's time to go. Watch the interview now

His next aspiration in life – to become a grandfather (first though, he will watch his son walk down the aisle).

"It became very transparent to me during what we all went through during the pandemic, that there are some things that are really important in life. Work is one of them and I have had a fabulous time here, but it is time to get back and spend time with the kids and just be there for my family," said Steve.

When Steve was asked about his career aspirations, he laughed and said – to be a grandfather.

ECU Chancellor Denise Goldsworthy said Professor Chapman had provided almost a decade of transformational leadership and will be missed by the ECU community.

"Steve has been a visionary leader and a driving force behind the growth and success of our university locally, nationally, and internationally."

As a veteran in Tertiary leadership, Steve characterised the role in timely Olympic-fashion, saying that as a Vice Chancellor you get a baton passed to you in a race that never ends.

"You've got to run to the next person with that baton and you've got to do it in the best way possible. You're a temporary custodian of a very precious thing that will be there long after you've gone, and your job is to nurture it while you're in charge of it and make sure you pass it on in a better state than you inherited it."

Steve talks about the role of Vice Chancellor to pass the baton.

Brushing off questions about his greatest achievements, he said he'd like to be remembered as a Vice Chancellor who cared about his staff and students of the institution, as they are what makes the job worth doing.

Steve walks the Joondalup campus expressing how he has loved the job, especially his time with the students.

"The students have got that enthusiasm, they've got that excitement about what the future will be, and they come to such a great institution that really cares about them – that has given me great pleasure," said Steve.

"I think that my senior team is really the best in Australia and the staff here are so committed to the work they do that it's no accident that national student surveys show we are the best public university in Australia for student satisfaction and the best for teaching quality."

Steve reflects that he's loved being part of a family at ECU, and attests that is something he shares with students who come to ECU.

"When I've asked students, who originally have gone to a different university what was different about ECU, the most common answer is just feeling part of a community, where people are actually interested in you, wanting you to succeed, wanting to hear you, that you're not a cog, that you're not a number, but you're respected as a person."

Asked if he would be back to visit, Steve said he was looking forward to being at the opening of the ECU City Campus, a project he said had continued to exceed his expectations at every stage and one he was sure that the population of Perth and beyond will be saying WOW to.

"What I'll say about the ECU City Campus is that yeah it is a building, but that's not what it is to me. To me, it's a statement of where ECU sees its place in the future. It's a statement of our ability to deliver big things, not just the periodic table (which yes, I know has starred on national TV last week), but it really symbolises ECU's ambition and our confidence in the future."

Steve saved his final comments in gratitude to ECU's donors and supporters, for what an incredible difference they make in the life of students – many who he thought probably underestimate the profound impact they've had.

"As a donor, big or small, you've probably helped a single parent get through a very difficult time to stay at uni and I thank you each from the bottom of my heart because you've done wonderful things for our institution and particularly for our students."

There is no simple way to say goodbye... especially in Noongar – we welcome our student with a Wandjoo, now it's Noonook boorda Djinang (see you later) to soon to be missed outgoing VC Steve Chapman OBE.