PAVE staff member honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

Isabella is known for her caring personality and her outstanding work ethic.
In summary
- PAVE Teaching and Learning Officer, Ms Isabella Chor has been named a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor Awards 2020
- The award recognises a Swinburne employee who has made significant contribution and given a career-service to the university
Pathways and Vocational Education (PAVE) Teaching and Learning Officer, Ms Isabella Chor, has been honoured at Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2020 with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Isabella started her journey with Swinburne in January 1989 as a centre receptionist and administrative assistant for Health and Human Services at the Outer Easter College of TAFE. Today, she is a Teaching and Learning Officer in the PAVE Business Services team, assisting and supporting the Migrant English and General Education Manager and teaching teams with the delivery of programs across the Department of Health, Science and Community.
Embracing education
When Isabella started at the Outer Eastern College of TAFE, she was relatively new to Australia and was balancing work, family and a new culture. Over time, she mastered English and committed herself to as much development – both professional and personal – as possible.
“One of my proudest achievements is successfully completing the Associate Diploma of Business (Office Administration) and the Graduate Certificate of Business (Executive Administration). These qualifications gave me additional skills and further improved my work performance,” says Isabella.

Isabella’s desire to upskill culminated in her successful completion of two qualifications at Swinburne.
“In reading Isabella’s nomination, what struck me was how beautifully she has embraced education,” says Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pascale Quester.
“How fitting, for someone who works at a university, to truly embody the spirit of learning and to seize every opportunity to upskill,” she adds.
“I enjoy learning and Swinburne has given me lots of opportunity to learn. Continuous improvement is my aim and I learn from my team and other contacts,” says Isabella.
It is these learning opportunities that Isabella credits for her personal and professional growth. “Working at Swinburne has helped me grow my communication skills. I’ve successfully learnt and upskilled myself with new IT systems and, most importantly, my confidence in my job has grown.”
Giving back to Swinburne
Isabella has always been a dedicated member of the Swinburne community. Throughout her time at Swinburne, she has demonstrated her ability to embrace change and take on new challenges. She is described by her colleagues as the ultimate shy achiever with an outstanding professional and personal ethic.
“Her team members will tell you that Isabella is an integral team player, caring, extremely reliable and always willing to help, with a sense of humour, positive attitude, gratitude and love of life that is infectious,” says Professor Quester.

Isabella is well respected by her colleagues thanks to her positive attitude and willingness to help.
“I am lucky to have supportive colleagues and work mates, who I count as part of my family, and I really enjoy working at Swinburne,” says Isabella.
“Her gratitude for the opportunities afforded to her has stayed with her, and she has made it her mission to give back to Swinburne and her colleagues through her loyalty, time and support,” Professor Quester concludes.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- University
Swinburne community members recognised in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List
Swinburne community members have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, including Swinburne National Centre for Reconciliation Practice advisory board member Karen Milward and Honorary Doctorate recipient the late Dr Murray Johns.
Tuesday 10 June 2025 -
- University
Swinburne commerce alum turned Webby Award-winning podcast star
Swinburne alum Ryan Jon Dunn is the co-host of popular Australian podcast, the Toni and Ryan Podcast, which won the audience-voted People’s Voice Award at the prestigious 2025 Webby Awards.
Monday 16 June 2025 -
- University
Swinburne becomes first Australian university to offer degrees in Qatar
Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with Barzan University College (BUC) in Qatar to be the first Australian university to offer its qualifications in the country.
Tuesday 17 June 2025 -
- University
- Film and television
From Melbourne to the Tiwi Islands: LINGER brings Indigenous stories to the big screen
Indigenous students from Swinburne’s Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media lead a powerful collaborative film project exploring dispossession, identity, and resilience.
Thursday 05 June 2025 -
- Law
How Swinburne Law School helped one alum find his calling
By embracing all the real-world experiences that Swinburne Law School had to offer including internships and overseas opportunities, Josh is now thriving in a career he genuinely loves.
Tuesday 17 June 2025