Indigenous Education and Research Centre Student Success Stories
Student Success Stories
- Future Students
- JCU Global Experience
- International Students
- Student experience
- Open Day
- How to apply
- Pathways to university
- Living on Campus
- Courses
- Publications
- Mature students
- Scholarships
- Entry options
- JCU Families
- JCU Heroes Programs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Marine Science
- Elite Athletes
- Defence
- Capability.Co
- AI@JCU
- AALL
- Current Students
- Student Ambassador Program
- New students
- JCU Orientation
- LearnJCU
- Placements
- EDQS
- Unicare Centre and Unicampus Kids
- Graduation
- Off-Campus Students
- JCU Job Ready
- Safety and Wellbeing
- JCU Prizes
- Professional Experience Placement
- Employability Edge
- Art of Academic Writing
- Art of Academic Editing
- Careers and Employability
- Health, Wellbeing and Belonging
- Career Ready Plan
- Careers at JCU
- Partners and Community
- School Outreach and Widening Participation
- Alumni
- International partnerships
- About JCU
- Reputation and Experience
- Chancellery
- Governance
- Celebrating 50 Years
- Academy
- Indigenous Engagement
- Education Division
- Graduate Research School
- Research Division
- Research and Innovation Services
- CASE
- College of Business, Law and Governance
- College of Healthcare Sciences
- College of Medicine and Dentistry
- College of Science and Engineering
- MPE
- Anthropological Laboratory for Tropical Audiovisual Research (ALTAR)
- Rural Remote and Tropical Health Systems
- Agriculture Technology and Adoption Centre (AgTAC)
- Advanced Analytical Centre
- AMHHEC
- Aquaculture Solutions
- AMHRA
- JCU Digital Wellbeing Group
- ARCSTA
- Lions Marine Research Trust
- Australian Tropical Herbarium
- Australian Quantum & Classical Transport Physics Group
- Boating and Diving
- Clinical Psychedelic Research Lab
- Centre for Tropical Biosecurity
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology
- CITBA
- CMT
- Centre for Disaster Solutions
- CSTFA
- Cyclone Testing Station
- The Centre for Disaster Studies
- Daintree Rainforest Observatory
- Fletcherview
- JCU Eduquarium
- JCU Turtle Health Research
- MARFU
- Orpheus
- TESS
- JCU Ideas Lab
- CADSI
- CNL
- TARL
- eResearch
-
Indigenous Education and Research Centre
- Experience and prepare for uni
- Study with IERC at JCU
-
New and current students
- Students - Indigenous Peer Assisted Learning (IPAL) Tutoring Program
- Indigenous Student support staff and services
- Fees and financial support
- Making the move from home to JCU
- Getting ready for your first day
- Welcome to Orientation at the IERC
- Expand your social life and build your resume
- External and online students
- Exam preparation, support and tips
- Tutors - Indigenous Peer Assisted Learning (IPAL) Tutoring Program
- Information for families
- News and Events
- Scholarships
- Student Success Stories
- Research and Projects
- Indigenous Research Support Network
- About our centre
- Discover JCU's IERC
- Past Course and Subject Handbooks
- Estate
- Work Health and Safety
- Staff
- Discover Nature at JCU
- Cyber Security Hub
- Association of Australian University Secretaries
- Services Division
- Environmental Research Complex [ERC]
- Foundation for Australian Literary Studies
- Gender Equity at JCU
- Give to JCU
- Indigenous Legal Needs Project
- Inherent Requirements
- IsoTropics Lab
- IT Services
- JCU Webinars
- JCU Events
- JCU Motorsports
- JCU Sport
- Library
- Mabo Decision: 30 years on
- Marine Geophysics Laboratory
- Office of the Vice Chancellor and President
- Outstanding Alumni
- Policy
- PAHL
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Rapid Assessment Unit
- RDIM
- Researcher Development Portal
- Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing
- Contextual Science for Tropical Coastal Ecosystems
- State of the Tropics
- Strategic Procurement
- Student profiles
- SWIRLnet
- TREAD
- TropEco for Staff and Students
- TUDLab
- VAVS Home
- WHOCC for Vector-borne & NTDs
- Media
- Copyright and Terms of Use
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
- JCU Respect
- Pay review
- Research
Our Students are Making a Difference
Our students are at the heart of our University and we inspire them to make a difference in their fields as well as their communities.
At the Indigenous Education and Research Centre we empower students to be independent, critical and analytical thinkers, and assist them to plan, set and achieve their goals.
To see our students succeed is the most satisfying experience for all of us at the IERC.
We acknowledge the efforts students are putting into their studies and careers, and celebrate their achievements.
Hear our current students and graduates stories
Use the drop down links below to learn about our incredible student journeys and their inspirational advice to others.
Chantelle Blackwell
Bachelor of Advanced Science
“As a child of the land, I feel is essential to learn of God’s creation in order to protect, conserve and share the beauty of life underwater.”
Read more of Chantelle's story here.
Merinda Walters
Bachelor of Environmental Practice
We live in a world where pollution, climate change and human impact have painted the future in uncertainty. We are the generation that will change it and this degree will help you to be part of that change."
Read more of Merinda's story here.
Joanne Kaczmarek
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
"My journey to medicine probably doesn't fit the common narrative. Studying medicine isn't the fulfilment of a lifelong goal of mine. In fact, it wasn't even on my radar until a few years ago."
Read more of Joanne's story here.
Anastasia Jensen
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
"I like to share my story because it gets down to basics with a lot of young people. Many who I have spoken to come from a very similar background to me."
Read more of Anastasia's story here.
Max McLachlan
Bachelor of Business, Majoring in Economics and Management
“I spent my internship in Tahiti, French Polynesia. In my three weeks in Tahiti, my role was to observe, learn, develop and implement strategies and ideas to improve trade between Australia and Tahiti."
Read more of Max's story here.
Anthony Nicholls
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (JCU Graduate)
"Be open to new opportunities and work hard in the classroom, as these efforts will open doors for you."
Read more of Anthony's story here.
Dr Nickalus Saveka
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (JCU Graduate)
“We have to change our way of not aiming for anything higher, because we think we’re not smart enough. I was never smart at school either, but it’s just that thinking.”
Read more of Dr Nickalus' story here.
Jade Gould
Bachelor of Science (JCU Graduate)
"Investing these few years in yourself learning and developing, and the connections made at uni is extremely valuable."
Read more of Jade's story here.







