Dr Ella Dixon: CUC Macleay Valley appoints new learning skills advisor

Kempsey’s newest educational institution has doubled its workforce with the appointment of a learning skills advisor to offer experienced learning opportunities for its students.

The push to put Kempsey’s tertiary students ahead of the curve has taken another step forward with the recruitment of a new staff member at the town’s Country University Centre (CUC).

Dr Ella Dixon, a former Macleay Valley resident who has returned home, will take up the role of Learning Skills Advisor which will see her work with students to improve their academic skills and provide face-to-face learning.

Dr Dixon comes to the role with a PhD in Sociology from Macquarie University, and more than 10 years experience tutoring and lecturing in the university sector.

She has worked at Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, and Charles Sturt University.

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Dr Dixon left Kempsey after graduating from Kempsey High in 2005 to pursue higher education, as there were no options to study locally; however, she recently returned to the Macleay Valley to settle down and raise her young son.

Dr Dixon said she was thrilled to be working in an environment that enables students the opportunity to succeed in the higher education sector, right in the heart of Kempsey.

“For me, this initiative is the first step in a much longer road to a more equitable future for our Valley,” Dr Nixon said.

“Education broadens your horizons, gives you new insights and empowers you to seek meaningful and dignified employment and so being able to support rural students in their higher education journey is for me, an amazing opportunity.”

The appointment of a Learning Skills Advisor will build on the learning community the CUC is working hard to establish.

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Further to the one-on-one guidance she will be providing, Dr Dixon will also be running workshops, general academic skills, such as referencing, writing and exam preparation.

“Not only having access to this necessary infrastructure and a quiet working space, but also the culture of university life and the sense of community that can come from it, is key to the whole university experience,” Dr Dixon said.

“I’m so excited to be part of this space and really look forward to working with students to help them feel supported and inspired to complete their degrees”.

CUC Macleay Valley Chair, Liz Campbell, was delighted to find that the CUC Macleay Valley continues finding quality candidates from our local community.

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“Having two local women working at our centre, both with a university education, is a testament to the skills and knowledge our people have here in the Macleay Valley,” Ms Campbell said.

“ This will continue to foster the learning community we are trying to build at the Centre.”

The CUC opened its doors in Kempsey Central shopping complex back in March.

Kempsey Shire Council and the CUC Macleay Valley Board were one of nine successful grant applicants for the Federal Government’s $53.2 million Regional University Centres program.

More than 100 students are currently registered to use the centre for online and distance education study with one of Australia’s higher education providers.