The University’s Tertiary Preparation Program team, led by Associate Professor Emmaline Bexley, won its award for innovation in student-centred learning through its multi-disciplinary pathway program.
Launched in 2019, the Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) was Australia’s first fully online university pathway and access program, giving self-paced support to students who had experienced educational disadvantage.
The TPP has now facilitated the award-course entry of more than 500 students.
It is the only open-access program in Victoria – accepting citizens or permanent residents with at least a year 10 education - and one of only a few pre-entry programs nationally supporting students to gain skills across the academic disciplines.
The TPP serves a highly diverse student cohort. Thirty-one per cent are from a low SES background, 20 per cent are from regional backgrounds and almost half of TPP students (48 per cent) are first in their family to attend university. Three per cent of TPP students are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The program’s short modules are undertaken independently, while frequent, low-stakes assessments provide the support needed to develop the skills for confident learning, giving students not only a pathway to university, but an environment for success.
The Australian Awards for University Teaching recognise and reward sustained contributions to, and innovations in, the quality of student learning experience.
La Trobe’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Jessica Vanderlelie congratulated the team and said she was delighted that the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching had been recognised.
“This citation is a wonderful acknowledgement of the Tertiary Preparation Program team’s hard work, as well as their commitment to providing our students a world-class learning experience,” Professor Vanderlelie said.
“As the University’s primary pathway for adults from non-school-leaver backgrounds, the TPP program is central to the University’s equity mission. These programs help to ensure that every student has equitable access to quality education, regardless of their background or location.
“It’s so important that the sector has the opportunity to recognise the outstanding impact educators have on the experiences and outcomes of our students.”
La Trobe’s Tertiary Preparation Program team comprises Associate Professor Emmaline Bexley, Dr Jelena Medan, Dr Sean Dyde, Hayley May, Dr Mohammad Al Bayer, Dr Zoe Thomas and Dr Belinda D’Angelo.
