Biography

Cathy's professional background is in Social Work, Counselling and Student Support Services management. She is accredited as a Mental Health Social Worker with the AASW. Cathy has a long standing interest in and commitment to student equity, widening participation and improving the student experience for an increasingly diverse university student population. She received her Doctor of Social Work degree (by research) from the University of Sydney, with her topic of research being the experience of mature age students entering university via an enabling program. Cathy has many years' experience in higher education management, student equity and support, teaching and training, personal counselling and clinical supervision. She is a recipient of an Australian Learning & Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. Following nearly 20 years as a Counsellor and Senior Manager within Student and Academic Services at the University of Newcastle, Cathy continues to work with the University as a Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Social Work. In addition Cathy is the Director of Student Success & Support Services at Open Universities Australia and runs a private practice offering consultation, training and clinical supervision within the higher education sector and the counselling/welfare field.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Sydney, 2009

Research

Research keywords

• Counselling
• Equity
• Mature age students
• Student Experience

Research expertise

Student experience; impact of higher ed on mature age students; equity in education; aspects of university counselling,

Collaboration

Cathy regularly presents at conferences and has a number of journal publications on a range of topics, including student experience and equity issues, effective program development & service provision, counselling practices and clinical supervision. Her most recent publications have been in relation to the experiences of mature age students in higher education, including a recently completed book co-authored with a colleague from the University of Wollongong and published at the end of 2012, featuring stories of mature age women returning to education.

Fields of Research

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Editor - Australian and New Zealand Student Services Assoc

Awards

Recognition.

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Student support services; Management; Counselling

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Social Work

Teaching expertise

Social work