Residents of The Women’s College within the University of Queensland enjoy academic advantages, a sense of sisterhood and a wide variety of extracurricular activities.
ABOVE L-R Gemma Kelly, Teanna Matthews, Alexandra Baxter, Mrs Flo Kearney (Head of College & CEO),
Chloe Alcorn, Xiaohong (Kate) Liang, Emily Brook
Statistically, students who call a residential college like The Women’s College within the University of Queensland (UQ) home, perform better academically.
“We’ve been looking into research in this area (Coates and Edwards) and what’s clear is that students perform at a high level academically because of the environment they’re finding themselves in,” says Head and CEO of The Women’s College at UQ, Flo Kearney.
“Being on site here at UQ, they have direct access to professors and lecturers on a regular basis and we also run a tutorial program at no extra charge.”
Tutorial groups are set up based on the various courses students are completing and there is vertical integration among the students with different year levels in attendance. The College is also introducing a young alumnae program (for alumnae one to five years out from graduating).
“Having these young women, who are freshly engaging with their careers, connecting with our residents works really well as they relate strongly to this age group,” Flo says.
“It’s all about that mentoring and networking – supporting the leaders of the next generation. They are young women who are being empowered to look at the next stage of their journey.”
This networking reaches beyond UQ itself as The Women’s College also caters for students of the Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University and the Australian Catholic University.
Alexandra Baxter, who is studying Fine Art at Griffith University, says she was promised a life-changing experience as a resident of The Women’s College at UQ and that’s exactly what she’s had.
“Every day, I wake up to a community of women who encourage me to be better,” says Alex, who is a third-year student.
“Women’s has served as a support system, an unbelievable network, an incredible advantage and, above all, the most empowering gift I will ever receive.”
Regular formal dinners with guest speakers are also held at The Women’s College, providing an opportunity for residents to not only hear sage advice but also learn about placement leads.
“Once we develop that broader perspective and self-direction in our young women, it gives them the confidence to move forward and take on new challenges and leadership roles,” Flo says.
“That’s part of what sets us apart as a women’s college. We’re all very mindful it’s a big step from high school and a transition into adulthood. The pastoral care we offer to them, all of the programs we have, the guest speakers who come in, the tutorials – everything is considered through the lens of the needs of young women at this stage of their lives.”
Of course these needs also include plenty of extracurricular activities including a wide variety of sports (such as debating, chess, drama, art and other group competitions; choralfest, bandfest and dancefest) as well as community service.
“When the young people are part of the College community they have an unbelievable range of both sporting and cultural activities available to them,” Flo says.
“We have an Inter-College Competition between the 10 colleges here at UQ, with something for everyone to get involved in. It’s a chance to make new friends and enjoy social activities.
“It’s all about being in a safe, supportive environment while studying at university.”
Alumnae & Friends Event in Townsville
Thursday 8 August 5.30pm The Ville Resort-Casino
www.womens.uq.edu.au/event/townsville-regional-event/
www.facebook.com/events/2389559091276903/
The Women’s College within
the University of Queensland
College Road, St Lucia, Brisbane
07 3377 4500
www.womens.uq.edu.au