SESSION OVERVIEW
This session explores how the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) has intentionally built a student leadership ecosystem to foster belonging throughout the student lifecycle. Through programs including Peer Mentoring, Student Partners, Student Grants, and the Student Media Crew, the FASS Student Affairs and Engagement (SAE) Team has created a scaffolded pathway that enables students to connect with peers, develop leadership capabilities, and make meaningful contributions to their faculty community.
Grounded in student partnership and co-design, these programs create opportunities for students to move from participants to contributors and leaders, strengthening their sense of belonging while enriching the broader student experience. The session will showcase the evolution of these programs, lessons learned from implementation, and examples of how student feedback and lived experience have shaped program design and continuous improvement.
Session Outcomes:
Attendees will gain practical insights into how student leadership programs can be designed not only as opportunities for involvement, but as intentional pathways to belonging. Through examples of co-designed initiatives, participants will explore how peer connection, partnership, and leadership development can help students build stronger relationships with their faculty, community, and university experience.
Attendees will leave with adaptable strategies for creating sustainable leadership ecosystems that empower students to grow, contribute meaningfully, and strengthen their sense of belonging. They will also gain practical ideas for embedding student voice and continuous improvement into program design to ensure initiatives remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
PRESENTERS
At the University of Sydney, the Student Affairs and Engagement (SAE) Team is dedicated to fostering the academic, personal, and professional success of students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). The team aspires to strengthen the experience of FASS students and staff to foster an inclusive, informed and engaged community, delivering this through a suite of student programs, events, and leadership roles. Stevie Bryant, Sophie Curran and Jiaji Zhang will represent the team.
Jiaji works with students to foster a supportive and engaging university experience, particularly through the FASS Peer Mentoring Program. Jiaji supports students in building connections, developing a sense of belonging, and making the most of their time at university through meaningful peer-to-peer engagement and leadership opportunities.
Sophie brings over five years of expertise spanning healthcare, administration, and management, complemented by over three years of dedicated project management experience. Her professional background extends across both American and Australian healthcare systems.
Stevie is passionate about community building, sustainability and leadership development. As an interdisciplinary trained teacher, artist and professional she is an advocate for experience based learning and creating opportunities through connection, network and authenticity. Prior to working at the University of Sydney they worked in the theatre industry, running the Education Program at Belvoir St Theatre, University of the Arts, London in Student designing Student Support Programs and Macquarie University, as a jack of all trades.