Senior Adviser Inclusive Support

• Dec 2022 - Present

Student Immigration Adviser

• Jun 2019 - Dec 2022

I manage the day to day running of the Immigration Advice Service for international students at University of Oxford. I provide immigration advice to international students, from before their arrival to the end of their studies and beyond. This also includes immigration advice regarding employment during and after studies. I also provide advocacy for more complex casework, including challenging visa refusals. My role includes researching and interpreting immigration developments, maintaining and updating specialist knowledge of UK immigration law as it relates to international students. Recent examples include the impact of Brexit, and the fast evolving visa concessions in response to the global pandemic. I liaise with the UKVI on a regular basis. I design and deliver presentations and interactive workshops to varied student groups, to both offer holders and current students. Also at the Careers Service, Saïd Business School, and Blavatnik School of Government. I develop and maintain the immigration web pages and contribute to newsletters and email briefings, providing accurate and current information to students and staff. I am involved in promoting the service at external events e.g. careers and freshers fairs. I provide training on immigration developments to University and College staff via training sessions, termly briefings, presentations and conference sessions. I also liaise with senior staff members and provide specialist advice to help inform University policy development. I am involved in developing service policies and procedures and keep these under constant review. I evaluate and improve our service provision via student feedback and benchmarking against best practice in the sector. I gather data to write our annual review reports and include suggestions for improvements and change. I work to the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner’s rules and standards and develop and encourage best practice amongst the team.

Student Disability Adviser - Wellbeing

• Feb 2018 - Jun 2019

In this role I delivered a high quality advice service for students with a wide range of disabilities. The support I provided enabled students to engage fully with their studies, to be able to access entitlements and to fulfil their potential. I managed my own full caseload by providing ongoing support, information and advice for this client group from initial enquiry, to applicant, student and alumni stages. I provided advice to students and the University on reasonable adjustments and inclusive practice in line with Equality Act 2010. I identified adjustments needed, created and circulated Inclusive Support Plans. I liaised closely with academic and administrative staff ensuring the University fulfil its responsibilities under this legislation, and ensured adherence of recommendations, advising on needs assessments throughout.Alongside my casework I was the link adviser for the Business School, where I held regular meetings with the Student Support team to advise them of policies, updates to regulations, organise induction plans and be a point of referral for students who needed support within the department. I also organised and ran weekly outreach drop ins in their department.I assisted open days where I advised on Wellbeing support provision and funding availability. For example DSA's, University funding, and external resources.Another of my areas of responsibility was managing the process of allocating accommodation for all new students who needed to live in halls, or adapted / accessible rooms. I was able to identify students needs, allocate appropriate accommodation and then review their needs for the following year. This also included organising the purchasing and set up of specialist equipment.I was involved with the planning and organising of the first 'Purple Light Up' at the University.I was honoured to be nominated for the Brookes Student Union award for 'Best Support Staff' by one of the students I was working with during this period.

International Student Adviser - Student Central

• Feb 2008 - Feb 2018

A qualified and experienced International Student Adviser who is committed to enhancing the international student experience. I am trained to OISC level 2 and provide immigration advice in line with OISC requirements. I hold the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) certificate and I represent Oxford Brookes University at a national level by delivering presentations at annual UKCISA conferences. I also deliver workshops to students and staff on immigration legislation and procedures.In this role I have gained experience of interpreting and implementing UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations for student immigration categories. I have a good understanding of Tier 4 policy guidance and sponsor guidance, and keep abreast of all the regular PBS changes.Alongside immigration advice I am also involved with enrolment and induction activities and have developed and manage various different orientation events. This includes but is not limited to, the Meet & Greet project and International Student Advice Team (ISAT) social events calendar. This involves the recruitment, selection and management of a team of approximately 30 staff to co-ordinate and deliver the Meet & Greet service. The service is to facilitate new international students to be met at Heathrow airport and be directed to Oxford Brookes University and their respective hall of residence.

Admissions Administrator (International)- Admissions Office

• Jan 2005 - Feb 2008

I managed a large workload processing undergraduate international UCAS applications. I also processed direct entry postgraduate applications, and Oxford Brookes International applications. I assessed fee status for all undergraduate applicants. I also produced visa letters for all undergraduate applicants. I worked alongside the Head of Admissions to train and supervise 'Summer Team' administrators.

Dyslexia Administrator - Student Services

• Nov 2004 - Jan 2005

Managing the administration for the dyslexia team at Oxford Brookes University, including preparing registration packs for new students and maintaining accurate records of student data. Liaising with dyslexia tutors and students.

Assistant Induction Coordinator - Student Services

• Aug 2004 - Nov 2004

Assisting with preparations for induction and enrolment at Oxford Brookes University. Liaising with staff across faculties. Creating and editing enrolment handbooks for new students, creating and editing training handbooks for guiders. Training staff working during enrolment week. Managing the induction desk during enrolment week. Answering new student enquiries prior to and during enrolment week.

Disabled Student Advisers Assistant - Student Services

• Jun 2004 - Aug 2004

Providing admin support to the disability team at Oxford Brookes University including creating mailshots for prospective and current students with disabilities.

Dyslexia Administrator - Student Services

• Dec 2003 - Jun 2004

Managing the administration for the dyslexia team at Oxford Brookes University, including preparing registration packs for new students and maintaining accurate records of student data. Liaising with dyslexia tutors and students.