SESSION OVERVIEW
Across higher education, we measure attendance, engagement, retention, participation, satisfaction and utilisation. Yet when students reflect on their university experience, they rarely talk about these metrics. Instead, they talk about whether they felt welcome. Whether they found their people. Whether they felt seen, connected and part of something bigger than themselves.
This roundtable invites participants to explore the question:
What would change if belonging became the KPI?
Together, participants will examine how student experience teams currently define success and explore how programs, services, spaces, leadership opportunities and support initiatives might look different if belonging was considered a core institutional outcome rather than a secondary benefit.
Drawing on real-world examples from student engagement, food security programs, cultural initiatives, student spaces and large-scale events, participants will share experiences and identify practical ways to embed belonging into planning, decision-making and evaluation.
The session is designed to be collaborative, reflective and action-oriented, with participants leaving with
new ideas they can apply within their own institutions.
Participants will:
- Explore the relationship between belonging and traditional student experience metrics.
- Reflect on how current programs and services contribute to (or hinder) belonging.
- Identify practical ways to measure belonging beyond attendance and participation data.
- Share successful initiatives and lessons learned from across the sector.
- Develop ideas for embedding belonging into strategic planning and evaluation frameworks.
PRESENTER
Laura Grach is the Senior Manager (Experience and Programs) at the University of Newcastle Students’ Association (UNSA), where she leads the creation of engaging, inclusive and impactful experiences that bring students together.
With over a decade of experience across the events industry, Laura’s work sits at the intersection of community building, creativity and strategic student engagement. From large-scale cultural events and live music competitions, to wellbeing initiatives and student support programs, Laura transforms ideas into experiences that create connection, spark joy and leave a lasting impression.
Known for her big-picture vision, collaborative leadership style and ability to turn possibilities into reality, Laura is passionate about creating spaces, programs and moments where students feel welcomed, inspired and part of something bigger than themselves.