Appointment of Master and Head of College
I am delighted to advise that following an extensive and rigorous search process, the Queen’s College Council has appointed Dr Michael Stepniak as its ninth Master and Head of College.
Dr. Stepniak brings to this role a combination of leadership in higher education, a distinguished career in the arts, and a commitment to fostering inclusive and vibrant communities. Currently serving as Executive Dean for Creativity and the Arts and Professor of Music at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, USA, Dr. Stepniak has been instrumental in nurturing interdisciplinary innovation, elevating student leadership, spearheading transformative fundraising campaigns, and elevating the university’s arts programs.
During his tenure as Dean of Shenandoah Conservatory from 2009-2023, programs across the Conservatory’s music, dance, and theatre disciplines achieved top national rankings. His leadership attracted award-winning students and leading faculty and staff, and significantly enhanced the Conservatory’s national profile and philanthropic support, including successfully completing major fundraising campaigns that reinforced the university’s educational and cultural impact.
Prior to 2009, Dr. Stepniak was Associate Dean for Performing Arts at New York’s Adelphi University from 2006-2009. His academic credentials include a Doctor of Education (2006) and Master of Education (2000) from Harvard University, a Master of Music in Performance (1998) from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Music History and Literature (1995) from Northwestern University’s School of Music.
Dr. Stepniak is also a respected author and thought leader in higher education as well as the arts. His numerous works and conference presentations range from academic publications to his 2023 book, Don’ts for Deans and Academic Leaders: A Higher Education Guidebook (Atmosphere Press). He has served on the board of directors of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans and held various senior leadership roles in professional organizations. Known for his inventive and playful approach, Dr. Stepniak co-authored A Case for Hiring Mischief Makers, exemplifying his advocacy for creative and unconventional leadership in academia.
Dr. Stepniak’s personal story is remarkable and resonates strongly with Queen’s College values. The third son of an immigrant Polish family who settled in the 1960s in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Michael, already an accomplished violinist and musician, left Australia at fifteen to further his training in North America and begin global touring as an emerging concert artist. As a violist, his recordings and performances with ensembles such as the Mendelssohn Piano Trio have been highly praised, and he remains an active and acclaimed chamber musician.
Dr. Stepniak is married to Dr. Anne Schempp, who has an active academic career both within the USA and internationally as a Physician Assistant. Close members of Dr. Stepniak’s family still live in Australia. He has three grown children and a three-year-old daughter. Dr. Stepniak, Dr. Schempp, and their young daughter will be relocating to Australia in January and will reside within the College from early in the new year.
The final few months of 2024 and the early part of 2025 promises to be a busy time for the College and all our community. Opportunities to acknowledge the superb leadership of Dr Stewart Gill OAM are planned. Dr Gill has led the College since 2017 including during a period of huge and unforeseen challenges and we look forward to thanking both he and Heather for their vital stewardship. In the New Year there will also be a number of opportunities for all associated with the College to meet our incoming Master and Head of College and his family.
Queen’s College continues to perform at a high level. It enjoys outstanding academic success and continues to be true to its values of diversity, inclusion and achievement.
In appointing Dr Stepniak as its ninth Master and Head of College, Queen’s Council is confident that the College will continue to deliver on its core purpose and values.
Ian Marshman AM
President
Photo: Suzette Niess