Meet the QUT College teachers
Our teachers have years of experience, and will give you the skills you need to succeed. They create a comfortable learning environment where students are encouraged to reflect, engage and develop the skills to feel confident in their English speaking and writing abilities.
Our teachers work to create a space where students feel supported and comfortable expressing themselves and asking questions.
English language educator
Rebecca Axelson
Rebecca has been teaching at QUT College for ten years and has over 20 years of experience specialising in teaching English to non-native speakers. She has a strong dedication to learning and holds a master’s degree in education (TESOL) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in English and drama. She has also spent five years as a language instructor / teacher trainer in Japan.
Rebecca teaches various English language programs at QUT College, including General English, English for Academic Purposes and IELTS Advanced. She has an uplifting personality and enjoys working closely with her students. Her patient teaching style creates a comfortable learning environment where students are encouraged to reflect, engage and develop the skills to feel confident in their English speaking and writing abilities.
Creative industries unit coordinator and lecturer
Jake Fox
Jake is the unit coordinator and lecturer for creative industries at QUT College and has been teaching at the college for nine years. Prior to teaching, Jake had 15 years of industry experience working in event management, professional public speaking, scriptwriting, and commercial radio hosting for two of Brisbane’s biggest stations. Jake holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing, Professional Writing) and a Graduate Certificate of Education - Innovative Learning and Design from QUT. He is currently coordinating the Strategic Speech Communication, and Creative Futures units at QUT College while completing a postgraduate research degree at QUT.
Jake’s students describe him as having a positive, passionate and approachable personality. In the classroom he has a warm, welcoming teaching style and works to create a space where students feel supported and comfortable expressing themselves and asking questions.
Engineering discipline lead
Wahyu Hasan
Wahyu began his teaching journey in 2004 as a student tutor at QUT in First Year Bachelor of Engineering. In 2015 Wahyu began teaching at QUT College before becoming Discipline Lead in 2019. He takes great satisfaction in providing students with the opportunity to build a foundational understanding of engineering concepts, and linking this to real-world applications to foster a curiosity in understanding the role engineers have in shaping the world around us.
Wahyu regularly draws on his previous experience working as a structural engineer in his teaching, providing insights into how engineers are involved in projects and work with other professionals to ensure safety of new structures. He particularly values working with students on hands-on design and build projects during their QUT College studies, guiding them through the process of research, design and construction culminating in a functional working model to meet performance objectives.
Esports senior educator and unit coordinator
Craig Kerwin
Craig is the Senior Educator for QUT’s Diploma in Esports and unit coordinator for the four core esports units delivered. He has been teaching at QUT College since 2022. Craig has over 35 years of experience in education and has taught at all levels of the education system. During his career, he has been responsible for the development of a nationally recognised curriculum, specifically in the delivery of information technologies. He later continued his studies in computer education and leadership through Monash University in Melbourne. Craig has held numerous leadership roles in education, including Head of Department roles, Deputy Principal, and Principal and has worked in both state and private schools across Brisbane. He spent time in Education Queensland's central office assisting with a review of the OneSchool system. Craig was instrumental in introducing mobile technologies in schools when he implemented an iPad education program in one of his schools. This was later recognised by Apple Inc. when Craig was recognised as an Apple Distinguished Educator.
When watching Craig with his students there is no doubt he is a relational educator who is passionate about his craft and learning with students in the subjects he teaches. His students describe Craig as being approachable and that he cares greatly for his students and their academic endeavours. His students enjoy his classes, and this is reflected in the student voice results each semester. His students were thrilled when it was announced he had become a NASEF Scholastic Fellow in 2023.
English Language Programs (ELP) manager
Mark Bowron
Mark commenced teaching English to international students in 1999. He has taught international students from over 80 different countries in a range of English language courses: all levels of General English; Cambridge (FCE; CAE; CPE); faculty preparation courses (EAP & DEP); exam preparation courses (IELTS; TOEFL; TOEIC); advanced Grammar for TESOL and Study Tours. After spending over 13+ years in the classroom, he pursued and completed a masters degree, and transitioned into the management side of the education industry.
Currently serving as the English Language Programs Manager at QUT College, Mark considers it a privilege to assist students from around the world in achieving their academic, social, and professional goals. He enjoys working in the supportive environment at QUT College as it empowers students to succeed. His favourite part of the job is when students come back to show him and the teaching team their degrees after completing their QUT faculty courses.
English Language Programs (ELP) educator
Karen McNamara
Karen began her English language teaching career in Japan in 2001 after several years working as an Occupational Therapist. She decided English language teaching was a vast improvement, so has been doing it ever since! Karen has been working at QUT College as an English Language Educator since 2013 and completed her Master of Education (TESOL) in 2021. Karen has a special interest in translanguaging and has written a peer-reviewed paper on the topic for publication in the English Australia Journal.
Aside from formal learning and professional development, Karen learns from her students every day. She finds teaching a privilege and a pleasure to guide them in the classroom, and the fact she is in the same career after more than 20 years is testament to the fantastic people she continues to meet along the way.
Health and science educator
Cristina Bowers
As a QUT alumnus, Cristina has maintained a long-standing relationship with the university that spans almost two decades. Her journey began in 2009 when she started teaching as an undergraduate student within QUT's Faculty of Health, conducting laboratory classes as a tutor in the exercise science discipline. After graduating from QUT with dual degrees in Applied Science and Business, she continued her teaching role at QUT, contributing to numerous anatomy, physiology, and pathology units across various educational levels, from diploma to postgraduate courses. Cristina joined QUT College in 2017 as a unit coordinator and played a foundational role as an educator in the establishment of the Diploma of Health Science.
Embracing smaller class sizes at QUT College, Cristina seizes the opportunity to foster more meaningful connections with her students. Cristina views herself as a life-long learner as she is endlessly striving to improve her knowledge of the intricate systems and anatomy of the human body. Whilst facilitating classes, she actively engages in the learning process alongside students. This dual role of learning facilitator and fellow learner enhances her effectiveness as an educator, emphasising the significance of strong teacher-student relationships in the educational journey.