Student Engagement and Success

What we do

We are passionate about collaborating with staff and students across the University to develop, improve, and implement communication, orientation, engagement and retention activities that help students achieve success at Flinders.

Our mission is to help students feel welcomed, supported and empowered with confidence to succeed at University.

How we can help you

Across the team, we have a broad range of skills and experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, marketing, event management, student support, data analysis, and design. See below the areas in which we can provide support to help you achieve your work goals.

Current student communication

Student communication should be timely, clear, consistent and relevant, across the University. For this to happen in such a large and diverse organisation, collaboration is key. We work with staff across the University to help coordinate, streamline and improve student communication. We have also developed a series of strategic communications plans for key milestones in the student lifecycle (e.g. exams, orientation, enrolment).

We are available to help you with student communication. We can:

work with you to develop strategic communications plans and activities for current students
tailor solutions for issues regarding current student communication
provide you with oversight of the University-wide communications schedule, to better coordinate your communication activities
provide you with creative design services and advice
assist you in developing and distributing messages through the University’s existing student communication channels
provide communication resources and templates to support your work.

Orientation planning and coordination

Orientation is a formative time in the student journey. Flinders has a four-week targeted orientation program, which ensures all students, regardless of their mode or location of study, can access orientation activities and an effective introduction to life at Flinders.

The Student Experience team works with staff across the University to put in place a clear and consistent orientation program to set students up for personal and academic success. The program introduces students to support services, helps them understand their physical and online facilities and environment, creates a sense of belonging at Flinders, allows students and families to meet staff and other students, and stimulates an excitement for learning.

We are available to help you with orientation planning and coordination. We can:

help you coordinate orientation events and activities as part of the bigger picture, to complement what else is happening across the University
provide advice and support regarding your orientation events and activities
help you promote your orientation events and activities, as part of a University-wide communications strategy
update the Finding your way at Flinders online orientation content.

Compass - Student site

Launched in May 2021 Compass is a personalised student site which enables students to find, access, and engage with the community and services at Flinders, enhancing the student experience and supporting student success. Compass site provides students with:

personalised welcome bar showing their FAN, student ID, name and email
personalised mobile-friendly timetable
personalised course information with a link to course rules, GPA, past grades and newly established College pages, and topics (with links to associated FLO pages)
personalised onboarding content for commencing students
targeted content on the home page based on cohort ie. International, Domestic and Higher Degree by Research cohorts
College webpages relevant to the individual student
Regional webpages to support and inform current students.

Student Experience is responsible for the ongoing management and development of the Compass site, ensuring currency and consistency of content.

We can help you ensure your current student web content is up to date and engaging. Contact us to:

update content related to your area, ensuring consistency of tone and language
provide advice and support regarding creation of new content/pages as required.

Student engagement

Student engagement is at the heart of everything we do. To help ensure students have a voice across major University projects and decisions we formed the Student View Group (SVG) which meets monthly. In addition to managing SVG engagement, we also coordinate other various student engagement campaigns and activities (e.g. the Student Success Campaign).

We are available to help you with student engagement activities. We can:

facilitate connections with the Student View Group to coordinate feedback on your work/project
assist in the creation of focus groups, student surveys or student engagement campaigns
provide strategic advice about student engagement activities, communication, and events.

Student communication channels

The Student Experience team manages a broad range of student communication channels, which enable targeted and streamlined communications with a range of student cohorts. To help you determine the most appropriate channel for your message, please use this short questionnaire.

The Student Communication Guidelines will help you with understanding the range of communication channels available and how they can be used to share relevant information with current students. For help with using any of the communication channels or advice on creating student facing communications, please contact us.

Ping! all student newsletter

Ping! is the all student e-newsletter sent every Wednesday, during teaching weeks. To view the Ping! guidelines, previous editions or to submit an article visit the Ping webpage.

Hey Flinders and Ask Flinders Social Media channels

Our Hey Flinders (Instagram) and Ask Flinders channels are used to communicate a range of information form the University to current Flinders Students.

To promote news, events or updates on these channels please complete the Student Engagement Social Media Request Form.

Student Engagement Social Media Request Form

SMS to current students

Where appropriate, text messages can be sent to current students. This should form part of a wider, strategic communications plan to ensure this channel remains for high priority communication only.

Student emails

We can help you create targeted emails to specific student cohorts. We also manage the approval and distribution of emails to the all student list via Outlook. To request a targeted or all-student email, please complete the Student Email Request Form.

Student Email Request Form

Digital screens

We manage the upload of content to the digital screens in Flinders Connect, as well as across the Bedford Park Hub and at Tonsley, Sturt and Victoria Square.

Flinders University phone line messages

We manage the recordings and schedule for the Flinders Connect University phone line (1300 354 633) on hold message queue for current students.

General FLO announcements

To discuss adding information as a general FLO announcement (visible to all students) contact student.experience@flinders.edu.au

Ask Flinders FAQs

We manage updates and additions to the Ask Flinders database of Frequently Asked Questions.

Compass (current student) website

We manage the Compass website.

Contact details

student.experience@flinders.edu.au

For any queries related to student communications, news, events and updates.

supportnetwork@fl inders.edu.au

For queries related to student success, wellbeing support and referrals to support services.

Jeremy Chance
Manager, Student Engagement and Success
08 7221 8810
jeremy.chance@flinders.edu.au
Profile

Jaimee Carter
Orientation and Transition Coordinator
08 8201 9653
jaimee.carter@flinders.edu.au
Profile

James Kumar
Student Communication and Engagement Coordinator
08 8432 4163
James.kumar@flinders.edu.au
Profile

Melissa Willoughby
Student Success and Wellbeing Advisor
08 8201 7509
melissa.willoughby@flinders.edu.au
Profile

Ana Milena Diaz Leano
Student Success and Wellbeing Advisor
08 7421 9613
anamilena.diazleano@flinders.edu.au
Profile

Melissa Suckley
Student Success and Wellbeing Advisor
08 8201 5276
melissa.suckley@flinders.edu.au
Profile

Alexandra Lauterbach
Student Success and Wellbeing Coordinator
alexandra.lauterbach@flinders.edu.au

Samantha Highcock
Student Communication and Engagement Officer
samantha.highcock@flinders.edu.au

Jamie Scroop
Oasis Coordinator
08 8432 4537
jamie.scroop@flinders.edu.au

Magnolia Paulino
Community Development Officer
19388
magnolia.paulino@flinders.edu.au

Student Success & Wellbeing Advisors (SSWAs)

Our goal is to assist students to define success on their own terms. We work with students to address personal or academic challenges and connect them with the right support.

Aligned to colleges and in collaboration with Student Success Leads, we can provide proactive, targeted support to meet the needs of identified specific student cohorts.

Through practical program delivery, engaging events, and effective outreach campaigns, our aim is to improve students' personal wellbeing, academic performance, and sense of belonging to Flinders University.

We manage the Flinders Support Network (FSN) student outreach service and coordinate the central administrative elements of SSPS, working alongside Student Administrative Services staff to identify and support students within these policies.

Students and staff can find out more at:

Student Success and Wellbeing Advisors

Orientation and Transition

Orientation and Transition plays an important role in helping students successfully commence and navigate university life at Flinders. Through a range of support programs delivered each semester, the team helps students understand their physical and online learning environments, develop a sense of belonging, and build the confidence and skills needed for personal and academic success.

Beginning with Orientation, students are introduced to Flinders, their course, support services, and university systems, helping them feel prepared for their first weeks of study.

Beyond Orientation, the transition program supports students throughout the semester by creating opportunities to connect with peers, engage in university life, celebrate success, and build habits and skills that support wellbeing and academic success.

The Orientation and Transition team works closely with Colleges, Support Services, and University operations to coordinate and deliver support programs.

Oasis

Oasis is the University’s Student Wellbeing Centre located at Bedford Park campus, supporting the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing of students. Open weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm, Oasis provides a safe, welcoming space where students can relax, connect, and access wellbeing support.

Our team and volunteers connect students with relevant university and community services, wellbeing programs, and support resources. Students can access shared spaces including study and lounge areas, a kitchen with cooking facilities and free tea and coffee, prayer rooms, and bookable event spaces, while also participating in wellbeing-focused activities and opportunities to build community and belonging.

Learn more about Oasis