Student highlights

Creating Impact, One Study at a Time
05 Nov 2025 • Sarah Stanton

Creating Impact, One Study at a Time

For Sarah, a passion for improving health outcomes through evidence-based research has shaped both her studies and career.

Fast-tracking a career in Defence
30 Sep 2025 • Brody McBain

Fast-tracking a career in Defence

While studying a Bachelor of Information Technology, Brody secured a Defence Security Clearance Sponsorship, fast-tracking his career and opening the door to a permanent role in the sector.

Consistency-driven achievements: Meet Evie Nguyen
25 Sep 2025 • Evie Nguyen

Consistency-driven achievements: Meet Evie Nguyen

Evie’s story shows that university is more than studying, it’s about finding your people, building skills, and discovering what you are capable of

Creating change, building community
25 Sep 2025 • Hoang Nguyen Lam

Creating change, building community

Carrot’s journey shows that studying abroad can lead to opportunities far beyond academics, helping you grow personally and build meaningful connections.

Making a positive impact through a pathway Diploma
31 Jul 2025 • Madi Watson

Making a positive impact through a pathway Diploma

Originally studying a Bachelor of Biotechnology, Madi sought a change, more support and some added flexibility. The Diploma in Science offered just that.

Building community in nursing education
18 Jul 2025 • Shruti

Building community in nursing education

Bachelor of Nursing student Shruti shares how Newcastle became her second home.

A journey of growth and exploration
18 Jul 2025 • Yining Luo

A journey of growth and exploration

Yining’s long-term goal is to work as a logistician or marketer in a global organisation or mining company.

Make the classroom work for your career with a Diploma
09 Jul 2025 • Kristen Troy

Make the classroom work for your career with a Diploma

Kristen is using her Diploma studies to help prepare for the changes in her industry and to stay ahead. And as a bonus, it's also helped her grow professionally.

Finding a passion for marketing through career-ready placement
27 Jun 2025 • Nishaya Ruwinka Perera

Finding a passion for marketing through career-ready placement

Nishaya worked across multiple projects that not only enhanced her content creation skills but also gave her a taste of the fast-paced marketing environment.

On the Path to Becoming One of Australia’s Few Indigenous Surgeons
24 Jun 2025 • Kieran Cubby

On the Path to Becoming One of Australia’s Few Indigenous Surgeons

Kieran has chosen to specialise in Orthopaedics to deepen his expertise and provide more effective trauma care.

Mountains, Moguls, and Machine Learning
20 Jun 2025 • Luke Ellis

Mountains, Moguls, and Machine Learning

A seasoned ski and snowboard instructor who splits his time between Aspen Snowmass in the USA and Thredbo in Australia, Luke is pursuing a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Newcastle.

A pathway to educational impact
19 Jun 2025 • Angela Miezis

A pathway to educational impact

Having faced many challenges in her schooling, Angela is striving to become the teacher she always wanted. Open Foundation gave her the opportunity she needed.

Forging a path to international law through Open Foundation
12 Jun 2025 • Chaitanya Zeman

Forging a path to international law through Open Foundation

At just 20 years old, Chaitanya is forging a path to international law through ambition and perseverance.

AI Ambitions from Pakistan
12 Jun 2025 • Abeeha Mariam

AI Ambitions from Pakistan

With a prior background in electrical engineering, Abeeha’s interest in data science was sparked during her final year of undergraduate study.

Advancing Care: From Nurse to Nurse Practitioner
12 Jun 2025 • Carrie Merrick

Advancing Care: From Nurse to Nurse Practitioner

Carrie’s passion for clinical excellence and her enduring desire to broaden her impact drove her to pursue the role of Nurse Practitioner (NP).

A second chance at law – and thriving
06 Jun 2025 •

A second chance at law – and thriving

Now 30 and in the postgraduate Juris Doctor/Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice program at the University of Newcastle, Liam is thriving – not only in the classroom but also in the workplace.

Shaping Mental Health Care Through Advanced Practice
03 Jun 2025 • Adam McGrath

Shaping Mental Health Care Through Advanced Practice

Adam began his professional journey with degrees in Health Science and Nursing (Honours), Mental Health Nursing, Psychology, and Nursing Leadership and Management. These foundations paved the way for the next major step in his career—pursuing a Master of Nurse Practitioner at the University of Newcastle.

Changing workplaces for the better
26 May 2025 • Luke Pedras

Changing workplaces for the better

Luke’s professional journey began in the world of exercise and sports science, but it was his growing interest in workplace wellbeing that set him on a new path.

A passion to keep people moving drove Blake to study podiatry
15 May 2025 • Blake Withers

A passion to keep people moving drove Blake to study podiatry

Blake Withers passion to keep people moving drove him to study Podiatry at the University of Newcastle and forge his career in the industry.

Reinventing a new career through teaching
08 May 2025 • Daniel Stanton

Reinventing a new career through teaching

The decision for Daniel to return to study wasn’t made lightly, but a lifelong passion for helping young people, sparked through volunteering, helped him take the leap.

Turning a passion for sport into a purpose-driven teaching career
08 May 2025 • Luke

Turning a passion for sport into a purpose-driven teaching career

Luke is studying a Master of Teaching (Secondary) and brings his passion for sport and leadership into the classroom.

Building the future, one project at a time
08 May 2025 • Guanminghe Zhao

Building the future, one project at a time

Guanminghe Zhao is a testament to how passion, education, and a supportive network can build a successful foundation for a rewarding career in engineering.

From passion to profession
16 Apr 2025 • Max Boys

From passion to profession

Max is making the most of his time at the University of Newcastle by combining his studies with practical, hands-on industry experience.

Exploring creativity and culture
14 Apr 2025 • Gizelle McKinnon

Exploring creativity and culture

Newcastle local and proud descendant of the Gomeroi mob, Gizelle has had the opportunity to embed and learn more about her own culture in her Master of Architecture studies.

Charting a legal path: a journey from university to practice
10 Apr 2025 • Jiehan Chen

Charting a legal path: a journey from university to practice

Jiehan's commitment to making a positive impact for clients and her enthusiasm for tackling complex legal challenges ensure a promising future in the legal profession.

From Classroom to Clinic: Kristen's Journey from Education to Podiatry
27 Feb 2025 • Kristen Stone

From Classroom to Clinic: Kristen's Journey from Education to Podiatry

From classroom to clinic: hear from podiatry graduate, Kristen Stone, and her unique journey from education to podiatry.

Building Strength, Inspiring Change: My Path in Physiotherapy
12 Dec 2024 • Belshrin Kaur Terlochan Singh

Building Strength, Inspiring Change: My Path in Physiotherapy

Belshrin Kaur Terlochan Singh's journey from Malaysia to the University of Newcastle showcases her perseverance, passion, and dedication to making a difference.

Building future Architects
22 Nov 2024 • Ee Ching

Building future Architects

With aspirations to work in an architectural firm as an assistant after graduation, Ee Ching sought a program where she could learn through doing, making, and creating

From Comfort Zone to Corporate Zone
21 Nov 2024 • Rene Antonio Arnobit

From Comfort Zone to Corporate Zone

As a global citizen with a keen interest in conducting business across borders, Tony pursued a double degree in Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of International Business at the University of Newcastle.

Travis Hall
19 Nov 2024 • Travis Hall

Travis Hall

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

After leaving high school in Year 10, Travis joined the Australian Army where he served in PNG while also completing Open Foundation online.