Dana Pillay

Under the guidance of the Outreach and Access Coordinator this role works to implement programs, create, and deliver engaging and accessible content and run projects to support the outreach and access initiatives outlined within the Domestic Student Recruitment Strategy and Widening Participation Strategy. This includes developing and coordinating outreach activities and workshops both on and off campus with a focus on underrepresented cohorts (low SES, rural remote and Indigenous students).

• Key Achievement 1 - Project Lead and facilitate for a number of metropolitan O&A programs/events including the Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 Future Focus series (2021 to 2023 -approx 500 students on campus per year group event each year), Activate USYD transition program (working with 210 Year 12 students from 8 schools for the year doing activities each school term), Regionate & Metronate Challenge, Year 10 Subject Selections Webinars (2021 -114 students attended & 2022 - 525 attendees), E12 webinar (August 2021) and Healthy HSC Bootcamp webinars. I personally train all the student ambassadors involved in the programs I lead. Provided support and facilitated workshops at the on campus Regional Residentials, Indigenous Residentials (Taghara & Gadalung) and Ngara Year 9-12 Future Focus events.
• Key Achievement 2 - Revamping the content of all the on campus Future Focus events each year and creating both the 2021 & 2022 Year 10 Subject Selection webinars. The development/content creation of the subject selection workshop webinar was based on my guest presenter presentation at the Year 10 Information Evenings in 2021 (1 in person and 1 online) and 2022 (2 in person and 1 online). This workshop has also been done as a in school workshop.
• Key Achievement 3 - Completing project administration i.e. collaborating evaluation data, tracking project outcomes, liaising with schools and other program stakeholders, keeping activities withing program budget expenditure, HEPPP reporting in a timely manner.
• Key Achievement 4 - Built strong and positive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Examples include: being invited and presenting at 2 Careers Adviser Association meetings, presenting to Refugee students as part of a cross university collaboration organised by Macquarie University in 2021, partnering with the Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre, partner schools requesting specialty sessions to be run in their area for a few schools, working with Faculty to support our O & A events, assisting the recruitment and events team with their events as needed eg Year 10 Information evenings, CAT day, Open Day etc. I have also successfully built positive relationships with the Student Ambassadors who facilitate at our events.
  
  

Coaching and Training in Social and Emotional Intelligence.

Undertake general administrative support including preparing documents, responding to complex queries, exploring HR matters, and sourcing solutions in relation to HR matters in consultation with supervisors/more senior co-workers within the work area. Providing guidance and support to hiring managers, administrative staff and academic colleagues on Faculty wide HR processes, policy and requirements for appointments. Utilising extensive administrative experience and judgement, helping to analyse matters and provide advice on policy and procedures for the delivery of work outcomes.

• Key Achievement 1 - Resolving complex matters that have arose with discretion, tact and diplomacy when communicating, utilising experience and knowledge of University policy and practice, and escalating enquiries as required
• Key Achievement 2 - Ensuring that appropriate action is taken on matters brought to the work area, and that issues are resolved effectively and efficiently, providing sound advice, recommendations and solutions on a broad range of projects, policies and operational issues
• Key Achievement 3- Reviewing processes and makes suggestions to improve such where necessary. Implements approved modifications and streamlines processes where possible
• Key Achievement 4- Initiating and developing professional relationships with administrative staff, senior officials and other internal stakeholders across the Faculty and contributes positively to the team environment. Provides an efficient high-quality communication, coordination and liaison point with staff in the University and key external stakeholders

Study skills, personal and career development workshops, presentations and one on one coaching for 12-18 year olds.

This was an 9 month Government Funded Full Time Role until the end of December 2018

The role was to assist the Widening Participation Pathways Manager and LEAP Project Officers to run LEAP programs i.e. Refugee Mentoring Program, Refugee Transition Support and Rural and Remote Outreach.

It also involved undertaking ad hoc tasks and assisting the general unit as required.

• Key Achievement 1 - Organised, ran and completed the administration of 2 University Experience Days for the schools involved in the Mentoring Program. Assisted in the organisation and running of 2 on campus mentor training days, 2 rural and remote students on campus experience days as well as various other events i.e. Refugee Day morning tea, Parents Day, Harmony Day morning tea, Stakeholder Meeting etc
• Key Achievement 2- Coordinating 5 videoconference events (Careers/Syllabus related) with Aurora College (virtual selective high school)
• Key Achievement 3 - Contributed to the redevelopment of the mentoring program structure and creating new resources for the restructured program.
• Key Achievement 4 - Completing the administration of the mentoring program i.e. collaborating evaluation data, tracking project outcomes, liaising with schools and other program stakeholders, keeping activities withing program budget expenditure etc
• Key Achievement 5- Involved in the mentor recruitment process from interviewing applicants, reference checking to communicating outcomes of applications
• Key Achievement 6- Created a DropIn Centre for current refugee students where they could come in to study, use the computers for uni work, get assistance from staff and have a safe space to relax in. Organised events for current students in this space.
• Key Achievement 7 - Reconnecting with the Science and Engineering Faculty to collaborate in the Robotics in the Bush Program. Investigated and gave suggestions on how we could start using the WP Robotics kits again.

Position 2: Campus Wellbeing Administration Officer

(January 2017 - March 2018)

First point of contact for any stakeholders contacting Campus Wellbeing. Assisting students with various university general and process enquiries e.g. how to apply for Disruptions to Studies, disability services, ECoE Extensions, Suspension of Studies, Request to Reduce Study Loads, Withdrawals etc. Providing information on Campus Wellbeing Services and how to register and access them i.e. Counselling, Disability Services and Student Advocacy. General administrative/office duties such as answering phone calls, emails, booking appointments for the various services, dissemination of information to relevant departments, stationery orders etc.

Position 1: Student Advocacy Administration Officer

(May 2017 - September 2017) - This was a 4-month role during a busy period. Also filled in at the Campus Wellbeing Front Desk when needed.

This role involved the processing of high volumes of various international student application forms which included:

• Processing Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) visa extension requests and cancelling CoE’s for non- enrolment
• Processing international student withdrawal and reduce study load requests
• Case management of incomplete student requests for CoE’s, withdrawal or reduced study load requests
• Assisting with the administration of under 18 international students
• Assistance with various reporting i.e. reporting for sponsored students, non-enrolment of students etc
• Ad hoc administration as required by the student advocacy team

Concurrent position (2 days per week) with Bridges Connect Project Officer role from May - October 2015. Full time from October 2015 - December 2016.

This role was created specifically for me by the Director at the time with the aim to improve the academic and student wellbeing outcomes of Indigenous students at Macquarie University. The role involved: 1. Conducting individual consultation/coaching sessions with students on academic, personal development, career development and general university skills. 2. Group mentoring in life skills and personal development 3. Complex individual academic and wellbeing case management and 4. Organising, promoting and delivering academic workshops and other events for students. I was also involved in other office projects as requested.

• Key Achievement 1 - Winning the "Deadly Award for Outstanding Staff Member 2016". Nominated by Walanga Muru students for dedication and service to the Indigenous student community. This is the first time such an award was given.
• Key Achievement 2 - Created and implemented a Progression Monitoring system for "At Risk" students. The system was successful and received positive feedback from a number of students who reported improved grades and improved wellbeing outcomes.
• Key Achievement 3- Managed complex individual academic and wellbeing cases. Case managed students deemed to be “At Risk”.
• Key Achievement 4- Creating an orientation and enrolment program. Organising and coordinating group and individual orientation and enrolment sessions for new Indigenous students each semester
• Key Achievement 5 - Created a self-assessment for the students who undertook the Alternate Entry Pathway to help assess their university readiness in key academic and non-academic areas.

Position 4: Bridges Connect/LEAP Links Project Officer

(January 2015- October 2015) - Concurrent position (3 days per week) with Walanga Muru Academic Support Coordinator role from May - October 2015.

The position title of Bridges to Higher Education Project Officer changed to the Bridges Connect Project Officer once the Bridges to Higher Education project collaboration ended in 2014. The title later changed again to the LEAP Links (Online Technologies) Project Officer. The role stayed the same. The only difference being the project was then solely run by Macquarie University.

Position 3: Bridges to Higher Education Project Officer

(June 2013- December 2014)

Promotion from Project Assistant to Project Officer. Performed the same tasks as the Bridges to Higher Education Project Assistant role with more complex tasks and responsibilities added i.e. higher level of organisation, planning, administrative responsibility and coordination of events.

• Key Achievement 1 - Organised 2 on campus and 2 rural and remote Robotics teacher training events from start to end. Organised 6 video conference events.
• Key Achievement 2 - Managed 2 casual staff members and 5 student volunteers from Macquarie and Sydney University.
• Key Achievement 3 - Assisted the Project Coordinator in preparing the Government report on how the project funds were used and the outcomes of the project.

Position 2: Bridges to Higher Education Project Assistant

(October 2012- June 2013)

Macquarie University was the lead In a government funded Connected Classrooms project in collaboration with 4 other universities (between 2012-2014) which used connected classroom technology i.e. video conference facilities and robotics to inspire low socio-economic/disadvantaged students to aspire to consider university. As this was a brand new project my role was to set up what was needed (administration processes and procedures, financial administration/budget monitoring processes and procedures, creating project resources and documentation, contribute to program evaluation, organising teacher trainings) to successfully run the project under the direction of my project coordinator and the project group.

• Key Achievement 1 - Creating and developing all processes, project documents, and putting together project resources from scratch within a tight deadline.
• Key Achievement 2 - Assisted in organising 1 Robotics on campus teacher training and 2 video conference events from start to end.
• Key Achievement 3 - Successfully liaising with teachers, project group and other stakeholders associated to the project and quickly resolving any issues that arose.

Position 1: LEAP and Widening Participation Administration Assistant

(June 2012- October 2012)

Ad hoc general administration tasks as requested by the office manager and project coordinators. This included assisting in organising and helping at events, collating student feedback from events, representing the unit at university events, ad hoc project administration, ordering promotional material, sourcing project information and running errands around the campus as required.

First point of contact for students and visitors to Professional Pathways Australia.Performed various general and financial administrative functions, including general office responsibilities, providing advice on Professional Year and Internship Programs, processing various forms/documents, processing payments, completing end of day financial reports, following up on outstanding payments and assisting in the organisation and running of student orientations, graduations and industry speaker events.

• Key Achievement 1 - Suggested and implemented improvements to student services and administration processes
• Key Achievement 2 - Assisted with the efficient organising and running of 2 orientations, 2 graduations and 2 industry speaker events

Position 3: Global Leadership Program (GLP) Administration Assistant

(April 2010 - August 2011) - Concurrent role with Front Desk Administration Role(3 days per week) from April 2010 - August 2011.

GLP connects students who have leadership potential and a sense of global citizenship with internships, volunteer experiences, mentorships, conferences and other practical experiences beyond their academic degree which develop their cross-cultural and soft skills and prepare them for global careers. As the administration assistant I assisted the program coordinators to run the program by completing the administration tasks off the program (i.e. data entry, updating student records, creating documents), promoting and responding to emails/calls/in person about the program and being involved in organising and running of the programs events and activities.

• Key Achievement 1 - Completed all admin in a timely manner. Contributed to the improvement of administration processes
• Key Achievement 2 - Assisted with the efficient running of 4 Distinguished Speakers Series events in various roles from planning to assisting on the day
• Key Achievement 3- Assisting with program marketing/promoting at 4 O-Week stalls and doing a number of lecture shout outs

Position 2: Front Desk Administration Officer

(June 2008 - August 2011) - Concurrent role with Global Leadership Program Administration Assistant role (2 days per week) from April 2010 - August 2011.

First point of contact for International students and other visitors to Macquarie International. Performed various international student administrative functions, including reception and general office responsibilities, processing documents, providing advice on admission and university policies/processes and involvement in international student activities/events.

• Key Achievement 1 - Proposed and assisted in the design and development of the international student’s online completion letter processing system which was used from 2011-2014
• Key Achievement 2 - Trained new staff members and supervised junior staff members. Created a staff manual for front desk processes and procedures
• Key Achievement 3 - Involved in 6 international student orientations/enrolment periods in various capacities

Student exchange to Norway from January 2008 - June 2008

Position 1: International Student Services Administration Assistant

(June 2007 - December 2007) - Casual 3 days per week.

Processed Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE's) documents for International students and performed other ad hoc tasks as required.

• Key Achievement - Created 300+ Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE's) for International students in a timely manner within the deadline.