Event information
The ACSES Trials and Evaluations program invites you to the second Equity Hub Community of Practice (CoP) event for 2026. Our CoP brings student equity colleagues together to provide an opportunity for practitioners to share their lessons learned and best practices in student equity and program evaluation.
This event, to be held online, will include guests from Southern Cross University who will discuss recent innovations in learning support models at the university and how impact has been measured and assessed.
Presentation 1 | From Referral to Results: A Tiered Referral Model Case Study
This presentation outlines the implementation and impact of a tiered Learning Adviser referral program designed to support at‑risk students through targeted, needs‑based interventions. Drawing on a longitudinal student case, it explores how impact is assessed using GPA trends, engagement data, and qualitative evidence of skill development. The session also notes key considerations arising from implementation.
Presenter
Dr. Nicole Schutte is a Senior Learning Adviser at SCU. She has been involved in the implementation of the 2024 Learning Adviser referral program, contributing to its tiered framework, appointment model, and data‑informed refinement. Nicole’s work is grounded in supporting at‑risk students through structured, personalised interventions that build transferable academic and professional skills.
Presentation 2 | From Pilot to Practice: Lessons from Evaluating First Year Advising at SCU
Southern Cross University expanded its First Year Advising (FYA) program in 2024 following a small pilot in 2023. Scaling the program required a redesign of advising practice to ensure consistency, sustainability, and evaluability. This presentation shares key lessons from evaluating the transition from pilot to institution-wide First Year Advising at SCU. It outlines a structured, whole-of-term intervention framework supported by planned, proactive outreach and embedded evaluation. Using engagement, satisfaction, and term-to-term retention data from 2024–2025, the session highlights practical lessons for scaling early intervention and using data to inform practice.
Presenter
Alice De Innocentiis is the Student Success Coordinator (First Year Advising) within the Study Well Unit at Southern Cross University. She leads the delivery and continuous improvement of the First Year Advising (FYA) program, with a strong focus on student engagement, transition, and retention. Alice brings extensive experience across student engagement, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement in higher education, underpinned by a student‑centred and data‑informed approach. Her background includes senior roles in student engagement and student life, as well as sector‑wide experience in admissions and compliance. She holds a Master of Leadership and Professional Practice from Deakin University and is passionate about inclusive, scalable support models that foster belonging and success for first‑year students.
Presentation 3 | HEPPP 2024 Reporting Data
In this presentation Patrick Broman (ACSES) will share high-level insights from deidentified 2024 HEPPP reporting data provided by the Department of Education. This data shows broad trends in how equity-focused funding is being used across the sector, without identifying institutions.
