Laura Burge

Experience

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  La Trobe University

  Jan 2006 - Nov 2016

  Responsibility for leading the establishment of a positive on-campus residential community servicing 2400 students and 200 + student leaders at multiple campuses of La Trobe University, Australia. Development, review and implementation of new strategic initiatives in the Residential Education field involving preparation of discussion papers, policy recommendations and performance outcomes.Management of a diverse range of projects and programs including those focused on social engagement, academic excellence, health and wellbeing, outreach and community standards.Responsibility for the development, leadership and management of a team of Residential Education staff across two sites.Continual evaluation and review of processes, programs and operating procedures to drive evolving needs and requirements of the residential population, staffing team and wider University.Key Achievements: Design, development and facilitation of overseas community outreach programs involving over 500 students between 2006 – 2014 and raising $100,000 for partner charities.Coordination of a comprehensive student leadership selection and development program across two campuses involving 2000 student leaders in eleven years.Management of first year mentoring and academic support programs which year-on-year assisted residential students to academically outperform their non-residential counterparts. Introduction of key external and internal reporting and communication channels including the Residential Review, Accommodation Services App, Student Blog and Annual Residential Education Report. Show less Design, faciltation and management of academic support programs for residential students including first year discipline specific Study Groups, academic support programs, faculty engagement initiatives and later year academic and career enhancement programs, and the organisation and management of global community outreach programs.Key Achievements:Design, implementation and management of Staff Employee Wellness and Professional Development Program. Introduction of a critical incident review process within the residential precinct.Development of a student leadership development program involving 150 student leaders focusing on skills in leadership, communication and teambuilding.Design and introduction of a comprehensive student leadership training manual. Development of overseas community outreach programs providing students with short-term overseas experiences. Creation of accompanying pre-departure information sessions and detailed information packs. Show less

  • Residential Education Manager

    Nov 2011 - Nov 2016

  • Living Learning Programs Manager

    Jan 2006 - Oct 2011
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  APSAA - Asia-Pacific Student Accommodation Association

  Apr 2015 - Mar 2016

  President

  Responsibility for developing the strategic direction of the Association in conjunction with the committee with oversight of membership liaison, industry collaboration, the Annual Conference and regional networking events.Key Achievements:Refresh of logo and branding in its 25th anniversary year.Introduction of submission guidelines for the Student Residences Management Journal.Redesign of the APSAA Conference Submission Guidelines, increasing submissions in 2016 by 200%.Introduction and management of the APSAA International Staff Exchange Program.Design and delivery of multiple networking events including Hot Topics, Knowledge Exchange and Professional Development seminars for members. Show less

• 

  Deakin University

  Nov 2016 - Dec 2024

  Responsibility for leading University-wide strategies, programs, and initiatives to promote respect, gender equity, inclusion, mental health and the prevention of sexual harm. This includes direction, management and reporting on a range of strategic programs, projects and associated Action Plans via a team of six staff, engaging and influencing internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the University fulfils it positive duty, legislative obligations and leads sector best practice. Key Responsibilities and Achievements:Leadership and management of the Respect and Sexual Harm Strategy, LGBTQI+ Inclusion and Engagement Plan, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Programs, Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and Gender Equity Action Plan. Involvement as one of ten representatives appointed from universities across Australia in a Universities Australia working group to develop a respect and sexual harm good practice guide for the sector in 2023. Design, development and implementation of a university-wide respectful and inclusive pre-placement module. Design and coordination of the Respect at Uni Campaign, involving universities across the state in the first sector-wide collaborative campaign to promote respect, student safety, inclusion and belonging. Show less Responsibility for university-wide strategic leadership, development and coordination of education, awareness and engagement initiatives aimed at promoting student mental health, respect and the prevention of sexual harm (sexual assault and harassment). Management of a team of three staff responsible for a range of programs, activities, events, training as part of the design and delivery of associated annual Action Plans. Key Achievements:University-wide coordination of the National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) resulting in a higher than national average response rate. Development and launch of a new university-wide Respect@Deakin module, working with partners across the University including Deakin Learning Futures and Student Services to create new content, engaging graphics, and extensive promotion to the student and staff body. Coordination and delivery of the eSafety Safer Online: Awareness to Resilience (SOAR) Program, working collaboratively with Universities Australia, the eSafety Commissioner and teams across Deakin to develop and implement an activity plan to raise awareness of online safety and reduce harm for staff and studentsThe delivery of briefings to all executive and senior leaders across the university regarding Deakin’s approach to sexual harm and family violence. A lead role in collaborative projects across the Victorian tertiary sector. This has included facilitation of a workshop with representatives from universities across Victoria, and endorsement of a report outlining agreed priority projects including an aligned Respect Week, consistent communications, and enhanced staff development and collaboration across the sector. Show less Responsibility for the effective design, development, planning, coordination and continual enhancement of the student experience at Deakin Residential Services, Deakin University. This encompasses the student journey from high school outreach, pre-arrival, orientation and transition, and on-campus experience, through to alumni engagement. Key Achievements:Design and implementation of our enhanced Residential Handbook, Annual Student Experience Survey and Student Experience Framework Guidelines and Reporting Requirements.Design and content development of our award-winning Residential Induction ensuring student awareness and understanding of essential residential rules and supporting their transition to on-campus living. Introduction of our annual Deakin Residential Services Student Experience Awards celebrating and recognising student contributions to their community and academic achievements.Design and implementation of our DRS RESPECT Value Index reporting and measuring residential community sentiment. Show less

  • Senior Manager, Gender Equity, Respect and Inclusion

    Oct 2022 - Dec 2024

  • Manager, Respectful Communities

    Jun 2021 - Oct 2022

  • Manager, Experience and Engagement

    Nov 2016 - Jun 2021
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  APSAA - Asia-Pacific Student Accommodation Association

  Jun 2017 - Dec 2021

  Coordination of the Professional Development Committee and all APSAA professional development associated events and programs. Key Achievements:Program development for APSAA's inaugural Virtual Symposium in 2020Introduction of the Continuing Professional Development Program (CPD) and accompanying digital accreditationDevelopment of 'Student Experience' APSAA Industry Guidelines and COVID Industry GuidelinesDesign and development of the APSAA Industry Guidelines WorkshopCreation and coordination of APSAA's online professional development webinar program Show less

  • Chair - Professional Development

    Jul 2018 - Dec 2021

  • Industry Guidelines Committee

    Mar 2018 - Feb 2020

  • Co Chair - Recommendation 9 Working Group

    Jan 2018 - Dec 2019

  • Conference Committee

    Jun 2017 - May 2018
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  Association of College & University Housing Officers - International

  Jul 2018 - Dec 2019

  Faculty - Global Housing Training Institute

  Faculty Member in 2018 and 2019The Global Housing Training Institute (GHTI), jointly hosted by APSAA and ACUHO-I, provides an exceptional professional development experience for advancing professionals working in student accommodation. Participants meet and interact with other colleagues, establish mentor relationships with experts in the field and gain skills and competencies needed to meet the current and future demands of the profession. Attendees gain access to inspired ideas and exceptional practices to help them master and thrive in their current positions, while tapping into the expertise of a hand-picked faculty team to get powerful mentorship, advice, and direction. The Global Housing Training Institute is the first intense professional development opportunity specifically for student accommodation professionals to be offered in Australia. Faculty:• Deliver educational content that actively engages participants and is globally relevant • Establish a strong peer-mentor relationship with participants and other faculty. • Actively participate in all aspects of the Institute • Work as a member of a team under sometimes undefined circumstances or unexpected changes • Represent ACUHO-I, your institution, and your profession at all times in a professional manner. Faculty Knowledge, Skills and Ability• Content area expertise • Exceptional facilitation and peer mentoring skills. • Understanding of adult learning models and their applications. • Expertise in professional development, training development, and delivery. • Master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience. • Comfortable with ambiguity, ability to be flexible, and a sense of humour Show less

• 

  Victorian Tertiary Primary Prevention Network

  Aug 2022 - Dec 2024

  Network Coordinator for the Victorian Tertiary Primary Prevention Network (VTPPN)

  Responsibility for leading the strategic direction of the network, coordinating priority projects and meetings, and providing bi-annual reports to the Victorian Vice Chancellor Network.

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  JANZSSA

  Aug 2022 - now

  Editorial Board

  Responsibility for peer review of articles, actively seeking potential contributors and promoting JANZSSA across a range of networks.* Professional development lead, facilitating a variety of workshops to coach and up skill potential authors * Guest editor for special issue on gender-based violence in tertiary institutions (due to be published October 2025)* Working group to introduce and support ‘Voices from the Field’

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  WATTLE Leadership Program (Women ATTaining LEadership)

  Mar 2023 - now

  Steering Committee Member

  Responsibility for strategically supporting the ongoing development, implementation, sustainability, and growth of the WATTLE Leadership Program on a two-year term as part of the Steering Committee. The WATTLE Residential Program is a four-day, immersive leadership experience (with separate programs for female academic and professional university leaders) that empowers participants to reflect on their own careers by hearing from inspirational leaders. Additional responsibilities have included:* Communications Lead* Speaker Nomination Committee 2023 Show less

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  Swick Learning

  Dec 2024 - now

  Director

  As Director at Swick Learning, I provide strategic advice, consultation and training in areas of expertise including:* diversity, equity and inclusion, * gender-based violence, * evidence-informed approaches, * student and employee engagement, * promoting positive cultures, * student housing and residential education, and,* project leadership.