Digital Heartbeats: Reimagining Connection in Digital Student Spaces

Breadcrumb Abstract Shape
Breadcrumb Abstract Shape
Breadcrumb Abstract Shape

SESSION OVERVIEW 

As universities continue to embrace digital delivery, Student Experience professionals face the challenge of fostering genuine connection and belonging among students who may never set foot on campus. This presentation takes you on UNE Life’s journey to reimagine digital student engagement by abandoning outdated approaches and embracing authentic connection models that resonate with today’s digital natives. We’ll share our story of shifting from traditional social media groups to creating digital communities that students genuinely want to be part of—spaces where they feel seen, valued, and connected. Through stories of real student experiences and creative initiatives, we’ll illustrate how meeting students “where they’re at” has sparked a revolution in how we think about digital belonging. Attendees will leave inspired with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for creating digital experiences that don’t just reach students—but truly inspire them to become active participants in their university community, regardless of physical distance.
Attendees will:
– Understand the unique challenges of engaging digital students and why traditional approaches often fall short.
– Learn practical strategies for identifying where their digital students are genuinely engaged and how to meet them there.
– Gain insights into the multi-modal approach and subscription model mentality and how they transform digital engagement.
 

PRESENTERS

UNE Life stands as both family member of the university and independent company—a not-for-profit entity wholly owned by UNE yet independently governed with purpose at its core. We curate essential services and vibrant amenities, with every dollar earned through our diverse commercial ventures flowing directly back into enhancing student experiences. From large-scale campus events to digital engagement platforms, from wellbeing initiatives to supporting student clubs, our success isn’t measured in financial terms but in the thriving community we cultivate—creating meaningful connections that reach every UNE student, regardless of location, transforming their educational journey into something extraordinary.

 

Tania Court | Senior Manager, Student Experience

With a passionate heart for creating meaningful student journeys, Tania leads UNE Life’s Student Experience Team with vision and purpose. She orchestrates programs that embrace every student within the UNE community, whether they’re in bustling cities or remote properties.

 

Jake Hunt | Digital Engagement Coordinator

Jake walks the digital pathways where today’s students naturally gather, creating spaces where online connections feel remarkably human. His innovative approach to digital engagement ensures that students studying behind screens never feel behind the scenes—instead, they become central characters in the unfolding story of university life, seen, heard, and deeply valued.

 

Chloe Green | Student Experience Assistant

Chloe weaves together the diverse threads of student life at UNE Life, cultivating authentic connections through her leadership of the Student Ambassador program on Digital HQ. Working seamlessly across Advocacy and Welfare, TuneFM, the Student Clubs program, and event planning both on-campus and beyond, Chloe embodies the art of making every interaction feel personal, regardless of the medium.

 

Nick | Student Programs Coordinator

Nick crafts spaces of belonging where community transcends location. Guiding club executives with wisdom and warmth, he transforms student groups into true communities. Nick’s gift lies in seeing the leadership potential in students and nurturing those seeds into full bloom. His collaborative approach ensures students develop not just skills, but the confidence to create their own spaces of belonging, showing that meaningful community can emerge anywhere human hearts connect.