The newly named THE Student Success event (nee Campus Live) afforded crucial conversations on what student success looks like, how it can be achieved, and the ever-present question of funding. In my opinion, the best session to capture these themes was the VC Question Time, which focused on student success and outcomes as the core driver of higher education leadership.
Despite covering three different nations and facing unique funding issues, the unwavering commitment to ensuring transformational student experiences was clearly apparent across the panel.
We are proud to work alongside two of these forward-thinking universities as Studiosity partners, with the privilege of being part of the student success strategies at both Plymouth Marjon and Abertay Universities.
Quick Caveat: These insights are based on my furiously scribbled notes! Please forgive any accidental misattribution - the real value is in the overall, powerful flavour of the conversation itself.
The Vice-Chancellors' answers revealed that success is defined far more holistically than just grades - it's about genuine transformation.
Professor Peter Mathieson (University of Edinburgh) noted the institution is aspiring to have teaching outcomes that are excellent as their research outcomes. For him, success is defined by transforming young people’s lives and allowing them to maximise their potential within an enabling environment. He also noted his personal motivation to try and level the playing field through widening access, and stated that success can be defined by the smiling faces of graduates and their loved ones.
For Claire Taylor (Plymouth Marjon University), success is defined by their founder's mission: social purpose and ending social inequity. It's about students gaining the tools to think differently, take risks, and develop purpose, direction, resilience, and confidence - in essence, fostering flourishing personal development.
Professor Liz Bacon (Abertay University) places fundamental transformation outcomes at the heart of what they do, aiming to preserve the student experience at all costs.
Professor Elwen Evans (University of Wales Trinity Saint David) emphasised that quality must be driven by understanding emotional intelligence and empathy, noting their unchanging mission of 'Transforming education and transforming lives.' She stressed that we mustn't equate student success with money, but focus on the experience and supporting every student on their journey.
The conversation was candid about the significant hurdles institutions must overcome to deliver on this mission:
The themes of equity, resilience, and basic needs clearly demonstrate that a successful student strategy must be comprehensive and accessible.
By addressing the academic confidence gap and offering 24/7 access to student support, we are working hand-in-hand with universities - including Abertay and Plymouth Marjon - to strengthen the resilience, purpose, and confidence that the VCs rightly identified as the true measure of success and the key to improving life chances.