Marlo Slavin is confident Taree Universities Campus (TUC) will become a community hub once courses begin in the coming weeks.
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The new campus co-ordinator said TUC would be a place where students could interact with each other and learn about employment opportunities in the area.
"I hope that prospective students or people already studying locally by distance and feel a bit isolated at home can come in and join the campus community and contribute what they have," Ms Slavin said.
She labelled the campus "a place of empowerment and development for the region" which aimed to address skill shortages across the region.
"We will not only be working in partnership with the universities but in collaboration with local businesses and organisations to learn more about what gaps they have and to put graduates into employment pathways," she said.
Ms Slavin anticipated the first students would come through the doors by mid-February before the start of semester one in March.
Describing her role at the new campus as "fairly broad" with a focus on student support, engagement and systems management, Ms Slavin previously worked with Macquarie University as a student advocate.
This role involved issue resolution and pastoral care.
I hope that prospective students or people already studying locally by distance and feel a bit isolated at home can come in and join the campus community and contribute what they have.
- Marlo Slavin
"I've got a lot of experience helping students to navigate university processes, resolve issues, advocate for students and act as a referral to various student support services."
She wanted to help grow the team tasked with the early stages of the campus' development.
This included hiring tutors for supporter courses.
She said the campus board received several replies to a callout for tutors.
The positions would be filled soon.
She was thrilled casual and ongoing employment offers were being made by local businesses and sporting clubs before students had finished enrolling.
"People are already coming forward and seeing the potential of a relationship."
She encouraged potential students to book a phone consultation with her via the TUC website.
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