Access Student Support Officer supports students who enter university via the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) which is a college and university scheme that offers places on reduced points and extra college support to those who are resident in the Republic of Ireland and underrepresented at Higher Education due to their socio-economic background.
Academic integration/belonging, Financial needs, Personal mental health/well-being, Social integration/belongingOn campus | Off campus | Online & in person (hybrid)
Time lineWhat is the main idea or gist?
What does this initiative/support/project look like?
The Access Student Support Officer offers 1 to 1 support to all students that have entered university via the HEAR pathway. Support is offered for the duration of a student’s programme. Support can be in the form of guidance, pastoral, financial or academic support. The Access Support Officer can often act as a point of contact to help students navigate their academic journey.
Each incoming student is offered a 1:1 meeting in trimester 1. This meeting offers an opportunity to advise students on the support available and to ensure that they have the necessary support in place. In addition to this, it means that the support worker can see how students are settling in. Students are also invited to group meetings, webinars, and workshops to ensure they are aware of the available support and know how to avail of them. The service also offers a daily drop-in hour and students can make specific appointment times. There is no limit to the number of meetings a student can have.
Support is offered in a 1: 1 confidential setting either in person or online. In terms of group support, the Access Support officer delivers workshops on how to manage finances including budgeting or information sessions on scholarships and how to apply. These can be delivered online and in person.
In addition to providing the above support, the Access Support Officer also manages the Access Leader Programme, the Digital Ambassador Programme, social events for access students including coffee mornings and pizza nights. Workshops and webinars can have up to 700 attendees. These can be recorded and shared with students after the live event.
What are the goals?
To provide support and ensure a successful transition to Higher Education for incoming students who enter through the HEAR pathway. The support is often advice & guidance in relation to financial, personal, and social support and referrals to professional services where necessary.
How are students involved?
Access Leaders are a group of exceptional students who have been selected to represent UCD Access and Lifelong Learning and play a vital role in assisting the Access and Lifelong Learning Centre.
Access Leaders’ first-hand understanding of UCD’s diverse entry pathways and of the journey students have taken to be here means they are uniquely placed to help incoming students adjust to their new environment. Their presence, voice, and own experiences help reassure newer students that their goals are achievable.
Our Access Leaders are involved in a variety of activities across the campus and beyond. These range from assisting at events such as the annual Access and Lifelong Learning Symposium and ALL Student Welcome, in implementing our University for All Initiative, as well as with our diverse outreach activities where they meet potential students who would like to know more about UCD. Access Leaders have even represented UCD at committee level and national conferences.
What underlying constructs or ideas inspired the design?
Research has shown that students coming to Higher Education (HE) from underrepresented groups require specific support to ensure success. The support offered is intended to close the gaps in terms of cultural knowledge, social capital, and financial provision.
What the success criteria and the points of attention?
That students are aware of available supports and know how to access them and more specifically that students have accessed the supports and found them helpful.
(How) does the effectiveness get tracked?
It is not officially tracked but numbers accessing the support are a good indicator.
Feedback from focus groups on student support emphasise the importance of having a specific support person, someone students can liaise and meet with for support.
How is it communicated and advertised?
What is the current and ideal timing and duration?
Students can access support at any point during their studies but there is a focus on engaging with incoming students and supporting them through a smooth transition to university.
What resources are needed to run this initiative?
A dedicated budget to have a permanent staff member in place and a budget to run activities, events, and support initiatives for students.
Is it easily transferrable to other contexts or groups?
We think it is easily transferable to other contexts or groups.
Having a specific role in place to support students who may have come to university through an access route or are considered to be under-represented is something that could be easily transferred to another setting. You would need dedicated resources behind it and an experienced staff member, where targeted students are known/identified.