Abertay student supports international work on student success

An Abertay University student chaired a prestigious international academic panel as part of a new stream of collaborative work to advance ways of supporting student success.

Sophie Kennedy, a final year Psychology & Counselling student, was invited to chair the Global Forum for Student Success (GFSS) panel at the American Association of Colleges and Universities, Education and Social Democracy conference, attended by 2000 delegates from universities across the world.

The session focused on how institutions and students define measures of student success, the origins and goals of the GFSS, and introduced perspectives of student success from all over the world. Sophie was nominated as Chair in recognition of her role in a current GFSS international collaboration project.

The virtual conference included contributors from the USA, Portugal, Australia, Ireland, Colombia and Scotland, across a highly successful 90-minute presentation and workshop.

Sophie, who is a disabled student, said she hoped other students would be inspired to get involved with work to improve student success.

She added: “Chairing such an important panel was a fantastic experience and it was great to connect with senior members of the GFSS network and our international audience. I’m looking forward to advancing my work related to student success as part of my final year here at Abertay.”

Abertay’s Dean of Teaching and Learning Luke Millard, a member of GFSS, said: “It’s been fantastic to have Sophie involved in this hugely important area of work as we seek to build collaboration with our international partners and share best practice on work to improve student success across the globe. At Abertay we are working closely with Abertay Students’ Association, taking a ‘Students as Partners’ approach to new developments across this and other areas of shared interest.”

Find out more about studying Psychology and Counselling at Abertay.