The Executive Dean
Chairperson: Senate;
Executive Committee of Senate;
Academic Planning Committee;
Faculty Management Committee
Vice Chairperson: Accreditation Project Panel

Dr Marianne Louw serves as the Executive Dean at Cornerstone Institute, overseeing various responsibilities, including teaching and learning, scholarship, faculty operations, and academic quality assurance. With a career spanning 18 years in higher education institutions, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. As the editor of the African Journal of Non-Profit Higher Education (AJNPHE), Dr. Louw actively contributes to advancing scholarly research and publication within the institute. Additionally, she serves as the chairperson of the Senate and various subcommittees, playing a vital role in the governance and strategic direction of the organization. Dr. Louw’s academic journey began with the University of the Free State (UFS), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and later a BA Honours in Communication. Prior to entering academia, she worked as a journalist for a prominent daily newspaper in Johannesburg. Her passion for writing and Communication led her to become the copy editor and eventually the editor of a national lifestyle magazine for women. Joining the Communication Department of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Dr. Louw embarked on her academic career. During this time, she co-authored a groundbreaking South African textbook on interpersonal Communication, titled “Let’s Talk about interpersonal communication,” which has undergone multiple successful editions. Dr. Louw established her own business in the late 1990s, providing training and coaching services to corporate clients. While managing her business, she pursued her academic growth, obtaining a Master of Philosophy in Human Resource Management (Personal, Interpersonal, and Professional Leadership) cum laude from UJ. She further enhanced her coaching skills by completing a Certificate in Life and Business Coaching from The VIP Institute, accredited by the University of the Northwest. Returning to academia, Dr. Louw joined Monash South Africa, a campus affiliated with Monash University, where she initially served as the section head of Communication and Media Studies. Her dedication and expertise led to her appointment as the Bachelor of Social Sciences programme manager. During this period, she completed her Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Communication, focusing her research on a theoretical framework for constructive interpersonal leadership relations in knowledge-based organizations. Dr. Louw’s leadership capabilities were recognized during a transitional period at Monash South Africa when she assumed the role of acting executive dean of the School of Social and Health Sciences. Her commitment to maintaining stability and ensuring the continuity of academic operations played a vital role in the institution’s success. In early 2021, Dr. Louw joined Cornerstone Institute as the Deputy Dean of Faculty Operations and Quality Assurance. In this role, she has significantly contributed to internal operations and developing robust quality assurance systems and procedures. Her dedication and expertise have further enhanced the institute’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. With her extensive academic and professional background, Dr. Marianne Louw brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her current role as the acting Executive Dean at Cornerstone Institute.