Foundations of International Student Management & Advising

While the growth of international education and international student enrolments has changed the way we provide services to students over the past decade, the principles of effective and accurate student advising remain key to successful student experiences. This session will outline the fundamental elements of effective student advising, and the required knowledge and skills to:

  • Successfully support students
  • Develop and deliver support programs and information
  • Seek out productive networks, and
  • Locate sources of information for professional development.

Areas covered will include working with culturally diverse student cohorts, the role of student advising in dealing with issues and critical incidents, meeting legislative requirements under the National Code, working effectively in the organisation and cultivating volunteer teams. The workshop draws on a number of case studies for participants to analyse and problem-solve. It is suitable for specialised advisers, teachers, administrators and other professional staff who work directly with international students. It is most suitable for people who have fewer than three years experience in international education but will benefit those with more extensive experience as new practices, policy and legislation changes will be included in the discussion.

Desma Smith is the Associate Director, International Student Advisory and Support at Swinburne. With over 22 years in International Education working at Canadian High Commission; DIAC student policy; global mobility; student support; Desma has facilitated workshops and written submissions for ISANA; Government roundtables; consultative stages of policy development; created policies in HEd; had various consultant roles and tutored critical incident management.

Desma has been Subject Matter Expert on award winning teams managing risk and safe communities and a member of Swinburne’s Incident Management Team. In 2021, a Swinburne led consortium won a Best Practice award in the IEAA Excellence Awards for their Food Delivery Driver Training program.

Desma offsets work tensions as an obsessed dragon boat racer and successfully competed internationally in the Australian Auroras DBS (dragon boat squad) over 6 years.