Burgmann College WEB 84

Residential Staff

Welcome to our Community

Burgmann College is unique, having staff living onsite, including the Principal, Deputy Principal, Dean and Residential Fellows. Having senior staff residing in close proximity to residents is considered best practice internationally, yet Burgmann is the only residence at the ANU where this is true and is one of the few remaining residences to do so in Australia. It is one of the aspects that contributes strongly to students feeling safe in their home away from home environment and as though they are still part of a family.

Alex Square
Principal

Mr Alex Mckenzie

B.PPE (ANU), MAICD, G.CRT Behavioural Economics (QUT)

Alex is a behavioural economist, previously working as an advisor with the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Prior to this he worked as a Senior Consultant for KPMG in the areas of leadership development, organisational change and strategy.

Alex is an alumnus of the College, having resided at Burgmann from 2016 to 2018 where he was a Residential Advisor and the equivalent of our Gender and Sexuality Education Advocate (Men's); he was also a member of Burgmann Council and Board of Management.  Alex also has experience working in the Department of Treasury as an Analyst for the Foreign Investment Division. Alex was appointed Deputy Principal in 2023 and the role of Principal in January 2024.

Alex completed his Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 2018 at the ANU and subsequently completed a Graduate Certificate Behavioural Economics from QUT. He is presently undertaking his Masters of Evaluation at The University of Melbourne.

Alex serves as a Board member for Friends of Rang'i, a not-for-profit which aims to improve the lives of members of the village of Rang’i in Western Kenya. The charity is dedicated to education and empowerment of all vulnerable people, helping to break the cycle of poverty.

Alex lives in the Village, providing support to the Burgmann resident community.



Taryn Square Picture V2
Deputy Principal 

Ms Taryn Ahsing

BPH (UND), GCRT Counselling (ECU)

Taryn has built her career in community development, health promotion, and student wellbeing. She is committed to creating a safe, respectful and supportive environment where all students are given the opportunity to thrive. 

Taryn began at Burgmann as Dean and was recently appointed the Deputy Principal. She lives onsite with her partner Mat in The Village and is honoured to walk alongside students at Burgmann College.

Square Monty 1
College Dean

Mr Monte Nathan

B Ed, M Lead Ed

Monte is an experienced educator and residential leader, highly knowledgeable in the provision of pastoral care to students in a residential context. Prior to working at Burgmann college, Monte worked as a secondary residential leader and teacher, specifically as the Assistant Head of the 'On Queenslea Drive' Residential program at Christ Church Grammar School in Western Australia.

Monte also has extensive experience in mental health facilitation and intervention, working with a range of organisations including; Man Up, Zero 2 Hero and the Arthritis Foundation of Australia.

Monte has completed a Bachelor of Education from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Leading Education from Edith Cowan University. He is highly committed to engaging a strong pastoral care system to create a genuine transformational experience for the residents of Burgmann College.

Monte lives in the village with his partner Kirralee.