Randomly selected undergraduate and postgraduate students will be invited to participate in the SES throughout August through your institutional email address which will contain access to the survey.

The Student Experience Survey (SES) provides current higher education students with the opportunity to talk about their experience of the institution they are enrolled in. The results of this research are used to help Macquarie University and the government gain insight into students’ experiences, and to monitor and improve teaching and learning in Australian universities.

Watch your university email inbox for an invitation to complete the SES. Your feedback is very important and will contribute directly to the experience of current and future students.

As an incentive for your participation, you will have the chance to enter the weekly prize draw to win one of four $1000 pre-paid VISA gift cards. The earlier you complete the survey, the more chances you have to win the major weekly prize of $1000!

There are heaps of other cash prizes to be won each week as well. Please see prize draw terms and conditions or go the SES website for more information.

We encourage you to participate in this important survey. All responses are confidential and no personal information will be linked to your response.

But don’t let this humble-sounding goal fool you: this girl is one serious achiever. And it’s not just her teachers and mentors at Macquarie who have noticed – Maddison has just been named among the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence, in the ‘Young Leader’ category.

“I’m so honoured to have been named on the list,” says Maddison. “It still hasn’t sunk in – I can’t believe it!”

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student was recognised – among other things – for her commitment to youth mental health, having created her own mental health organisation called High Tide.

“I’m passionate about eliminating the stigma around mental health, and also ensuring women and girls aren’t held back just because of their gender,” says Maddison. “For me, education is the conduit for both problems.”

“At High Tide, we run practical school workshops that create spaces where education is shared, conversations begin, and empathy and acceptance are ingrained into the hearts and minds of all young people.”

Maddison’s work in mental health has already seen her become the first Australian to be awarded a Dalai Lama Peace Fellowship – an honour which has given her an opportunity to spread her mental health message worldwide.
“I’ve been working with Fellows from around the world on a global mindfulness, entrepreneurship and compassion training program,” Maddison says.

Another item on her to-do list is to bring the Canberra-based Jasiri program – which provides self-defence program for survivors of sexual abuse – to Sydney.

Make the world a better place? We reckon you can safely tick that box, Maddison. 

Maddison’s MQ life (um… how does she fit it all in?)

• Serves on the SRC as the Women’s representative
• On the Respect.Now.Always student team
• President of the Indigenous Student Association
• Cadet at Walanga Muru
• Member of the Macquarie Uni water polo team (which is soon heading for Nationals) 

A few of Maddison’s other brag-worthy achievements:

• Named a Young Social Pioneer by the Foundation for Young Australia
• Received a scholarship from the Layne Beachley Foundation when she was 17, to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington.
• Has been invited to speak at the United Nations three times, most recently at the Commission on the Status of Women on how to engage more young people in gender equality discussions.
• Presented a report to the United Nations on young people’s recommendations for the Sustainable Development Goals.

With Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Kevin Jameson acting as MC, the award night saw over 130 attendees gather in MUSE, with Macquarie staff joining with PACE partners to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the prize-winning students.

The awards highlighted the positive impact PACE students had on the wider community, as well as the significant career-building skills they gained from participating in the program.

PACE Academic and Program Director Lindie Clark said she was thrilled with the incredible work undertaken by the 2017 winners and told them that reading through their prize applications was the favourite thing about her job.

“To understand the extraordinary work and commitment you put into your projects, the incredible learning you take out of them, and the contribution you make to our industry and community partners is absolutely delightful,” Lindie said.

2017 PACE prize winners

36 students were also Highly Commended.

If you would like to be considered for a 2018 PACE Prize Award, visit the PACE website.

Knowing that from 30 September train stations between Epping and Chatswood close for around seven months ahead of the arrival of the Sydney Metro Northwest, key survey findings below are partnered with ideas for staff and students to consider when planning travel during this period.

33% of staff and 47% of students catch a train to campus
Train commuters are encouraged to plan which of the 100+ extra, replacement buses will suit them best. Check out the interactive map on the Station Link website.

Approximately 1,300 staff and 4,000 students currently drive alone to campus
With expected traffic congestion in the precinct, single drivers might consider carpooling.

Around 1,600 staff and students were identified as living 5 km or less from Macquarie University
Locals could try walking, cycling or using the Keoride on-demand service.

Thanks to everybody who went online, shared information and congratulations to the 10 lucky participants who won a $100 Opal card from Transport for NSW, one of whom is Janae Bradshaw-Gross (pictured), currently studying her Master of Commerce with a double specialisation of Human Resource Management and Marketing at Macquarie.