About UniSQ Student Guild
Here for you at UniSQ
Services
Our Board
Governance
The UniSQ Student Guild is your independent, student-led, not-for-profit organisation, here to support students across all UniSQ campuses and study modes.
We exist to make student life better by representing and promoting the voices, interests, and needs of students within the University and across the wider community. Whether it’s advocating for positive change, creating opportunities to connect, or delivering services and support, the Guild is here to help you get the most out of your university experience.
We do this through a range of cultural, sporting, recreational, and social activities, as well as services and amenities that help students feel connected, supported, and part of the UniSQ community, no matter where or how they study.
The Guild also provides free and independent advocacy support, offering students advice and assistance when navigating issues or concerns involving the University.
Our History
The UniSQ Student Guild was first incorporated in early 1970 under the Education Act as the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) Union.
Under the University of Southern Queensland Act, 1989, the DDIAE Union became the USQ Student Association before being rebranded as the USQ Student Guild under the University of Southern Queensland Act, 1998.
With a rebrand of USQ in 2023 to UniSQ, The Guild also changed its name to UniSQ Student Guild.
We offer a wide variety of services and activities to add value to your Student Life.
Students we support
Student Advocacy
Student Experience & Support
Creating opportunities for students to connect, belong, and enjoy university life through events, clubs, activities, leadership opportunities, and campus experiences and helping students through practical support services including the food pantry, free breakfasts, wellbeing initiatives, and programs designed to support student success and reduce barriers to study.
Sport & Fitness
Supporting active and healthy lifestyles through SG Fit gyms, social sport, recreational activities and sporting facilities. From our gyms in Toowoomba & Springfield, daily social sport in our Rec Centre (Toowoomba) or co-run sport with our affiliated UniSQ clubs, we’ve got your sport and fitness sorted Pop in and have some fun. We’ll see you here!
Venues & Sport Courts for Hire
The Guild offers space for venue hire and space booking. If you have an event or a sport that you would like to see come to life, then look no further than the UniSQ Student Guild. Speak to our operations team today and see what solutions we can provide!
Our Board
The UniSQ Student Guild operated independently from the University and is governed by a volunteer board of 9 members with a separate constitution. The board chair is appointed by the Vice Chancellor and the directors are comprised of five (5) student directors, two (2) external directors and one (1) director appointed by the UniSQ council, all of whom operate in a voluntary capacity. Terms of office range from 2 to 3 years.
The Guild is funded by a combination of Student Services & Amenities Fees (SSAF) that students of the University pay and commercial operations undertaken by the Guild ona profit-for-purpose model.
Jane Summers
Executive Chair
Emeritus Professor Jane Summers has served as Chair of the UniSQ Student Guild Board since 2023. Prior to retiring from UniSQ in 2022, she was the MBA Director and Professor of Marketing. Jane brings extensive governance experience, including seven years as Chair of a regional tourism organisation, and is passionate about contributing her expertise to support strong, effective leadership within the Guild.
David Petit
Student Director
David is a PhD candidate researching exoplanets and small satellites through Project Swift and the iLAuNCH Trailblazer initiative. He is passionate about equity, diversity, and community engagement, and advocates for underrepresented groups. Outside academia, David enjoys nature, meditation, martial arts instruction, and team sports.
Anisha Anwar
Student Director
Anisha Anwar is an international Civil Engineering student at UniSQ with a strong commitment to student representation. She is passionate about building a supportive and inclusive community, advocating for meaningful outcomes, and ensuring students feel empowered to succeed and make the most of their university experience.
Deepathi Handapangoda
Student Director
Deepathi is a postgraduate student pursuing a Master of Information Systems (Business Analytics) at UniSQ. With a background in IT and management, she is passionate about student engagement, inclusive leadership, and fostering an empowering university environment that supports diverse student communities and experiences.
Hayley Shea
Student Director
Hayley Shea is a domestic student studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English Literature and Creative Writing. She works within the Student Experience Team, delivering events across campuses and online. Hayley values kindness and integrity, embracing a positive, glass-half-full approach to supporting student engagement.
Peter Geiss
Student Director
Peter is a Master of Research student focused on student representation in higher education and a strong advocate for student voice. He serves as Deputy Chair (Student) of the UniSQ Student Guild and contributes across key university committees, bringing experience in governance, research, and prior leadership in financial services.
Ryan Salzke
Non Student Director
Ryan is CEO of Vanguard Laundry, a regional employment-focused social enterprise he co-founded in 2016. He brings nine years of NFP leadership experience, following a decade in banking. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business from UniSQ and is passionate about purpose-driven, community impact initiatives.
Bonita Burke
Non-Student Director
Lorelle Burton
UnISQ Council Appointed Director
Governance & Policies
Download Governance and Policy documents here