Event information
Online via Zoom
The ACSES Trials and Evaluations program invites you to the third 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 Griffith University and Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, with Griffith discussing their recent work to understand the cumulative impact of multiple initiatives/programs, and Auckland their growing University Entrance (UE) Success secondary schools partnership focusing on Māori and Pacific University Entrance attainment and how they are measuring the impact.
Presentation 1 | Investigating the feasibility of using advanced statistical analysis to understand the impact of uncoordinated and overlapping student equity interventions (Griffith University)
This presentation reports on the findings of some preliminary work exploring whether advanced statistical analyses can be applied to institutional data to better understand how participation in multiple, overlapping and uncoordinated equity interventions relate to key student outcomes (retention, completion/attrition, and academic success) at Griffith University. The overarching aim of this is to test the ability of existing administrative data related to student participation in support programs (not originally designed with program evaluation as a consideration) and student outcomes data, for generating generate practical, decision‑useful insights about students’ trajectories following exposure to one or more interventions, informing more strategic coordination of equity initiatives.
About the team
Clancy Birrell
Clancy serves as Senior Strategic Leader, Business Intelligence & Analytics at Griffith University, and is a key member of Griffith’s cross-portfolio ‘Equity Evaluation’ team. He leads a portfolio of analysts covering all aspects of Strategic Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics as an internal consulting team. Clancy has 20+ years’ experience in Advanced Analytics and Data Science across several domains including Higher Education, Consumer Finance and Insurance, as well as hosting a side hustle in Analytics and Statistics specialist consulting.
Dr Roby Jose
Roby is a Principal Data Insights Analyst at Griffith University. He is an experienced Data Scientist and strong research professional with advanced analytical skills in prescriptive, predictive, and descriptive analytics, statistical modelling, machine learning, data mining, visualizations, and natural language processing. His experience in large-scale student datasets and equity-focused initiatives is crucial for generating actionable insights that support the evaluation and enhancement of student success interventions, particularly for students from equity groups.
Dr Ruth Kamrowski
Ruth is the Manager, Evaluation (Student Equity Programs) at Griffith University. With expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, she is responsible for the development of institutional capacity for evaluation of interventions designed to support students from equity groups; through provision of nuanced equity data insights to inform strategic priorities, development of university data infrastructure, and ensuring focus on data-driven approaches to decision-making.
Vivian Wu
Vivian is a Data Insights Analyst in Griffith’s cross-portfolio ‘Equity Evaluation’ team. Her work focuses on strengthening the use of data and evaluation to support student success, particularly for equity cohorts, by generating insights and building the evidence base for decision-making across student support initiatives. Drawing on experience spanning digital learning, learning analytics, and equity student support, she brings a practical understanding of how service delivery, system data, student engagement, and outcomes connect in practice.
Professor Caroline Rueckert
Caroline serves as Dean, Student Experience and Employability, Griffith University with responsibility for leading Griffith’s strategic agenda for student experience and employability. She has led university-wide initiatives in student success, retention, learning support, and equity across multiple higher education institutions over the past 20 years. Her work focuses on evidence-based strategies to enhance student outcomes, with expertise in qualitative research, discourse and policy analysis, and the evaluation of co-curricular and learning support initiatives.
Presentation 2 | UE Success secondary schools partnership (Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland)
Across Aotearoa, Māori and Pacific University Entrance (UE) attainment declined from 40% in 2020 to 34% in 2022, while the national UE rate fell from 53% to 50% over the same period. This persistent gap underpins the University’s parity target for 2030 and explains why a structured, school–university partnership is essential. The UE Success programme, now in its second year, is reshaping how University of Auckland shows up for schools and learners.
The initiative responds to UE declines and a need to improve first-year learner retention, focusing on fit for purpose UE, stronger external exam preparation and co design with schools. The model combines targeted data, culturally grounded engagement and clear tertiary pathways, and builds on the University’s publicly stated goal to achieve UE parity for Māori and Pacific learners by 2030.
About the team
Katalina Ma, Pathway Programmes Manager
Katalina Ma brings a unique perspective shaped by her experience as a former Head of Mathematics and senior secondary leader, alongside her current role leading learner success programmes at the University of Auckland. She oversees initiatives including Pacific Academy, on track to support over 1,000 Māori and Pacific highschool students this year, and co-founded the nationally recognised Math Challenge competition. In 2025, she was formally acknowledged for her work partnering with Auckland schools to advance University Entrance parity for Māori and Pacific learners.
Anaru Parangi, Poutaki Taura Tangata Māori
Iwi: Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Hapū: Ngāti Rēhia
Anaru is our Māori Relationship Manager who works closely with secondary schools, kura kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium schools), and communities to support Māori students on their journey to university. Guided by kaupapa Māori values, he contributes to a structured pathway that encourages curiosity in Year 11, builds purpose and direction in Year 12, and supports a confident transition into tertiary study in Year 13. Anaru’s work focuses on creating meaningful, culturally grounded connections that strengthen identity, a sense of belonging, and future aspirations. Through this, he plays a key role in ensuring students and their whānau (families) feel supported, well informed, and inspired as they navigate their pathways into higher education.
Liletina Vaka, Associate Director – Schools & Community Engagement
Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Kāi Tahu
With a background in strategic planning across New Zealand’s public sector, Liletina joined the University with the task of shifting engagement away from transactional ‘to-the-gate’ recruitment to student centred engagement based on learners ‘crossing the graduation stage’. She will speak to the importance of meaningful partnerships, the ongoing challenges facing our education system, and the opportunities to respond through student‑centred innovation.
