Nick Brodie is the Dean of Academics at Jane. Nick, an academic himself, has great respect for the educational process and the institution, which he tries to cultivate in the residents at Jane. His role is primarily about support, helping students to navigate the university structure and system to ensure they can thrive academically.
Historian, Archaeologist, published author and regular ABC Radio presenter, Nick has made a success of his academic career. Originally from country New South Wales, Nick came to Tasmania to complete a PhD in History. His PhD followed a Bachelor’s in History and Archaeology at ANU, Honours in History at ANU and a Graduate Certificate in Archaeology at Flinders University. He is currently studying for a Masters in Theology at Dom Universitas. In short, Nick understands the academic institution.
Nick also has plenty of experience teaching. Starting out as a tutor for 12 months, Nick went on to be a UTAS lecturer for 10 years.
The thing that makes the biggest difference to students thriving academically, according to Nick, is a sense that they are not alone – something that Jane does very well.
“We have a culture of helping each other. Students will come and tell me if they are worried about one of their friends academically. We have a network of tutors, who are more senior residents. They pick up on early warning signs and I can get in there and try and help.
Nick explains that those who don’t succeed at uni tend to have withdrawn.
“The thing I love most about my role is the look of relief I see on students’ faces when I tell them not to worry, that it’s resolvable and I can fix it. I see it all the time. They come in a panic thinking their academic story is over for the semester and leave with all the worry gone,” says Nick.
Advocacy for the students within the university is a big part of the role.
“I didn’t realise how much advocacy would be a big part of my role, but having someone go into bat for them, who is an academic and knows the system, counts for a lot,” Nick explains.
Nick says as much as possible he supports students to do things for themselves but there are plenty of times when it is more effective for him to go on their behalf. One example of that is with learning access plans.
“I have a great relationship with the accessibility team. Around a fifth of our residents have Learning Access Plans. I will almost always help students to expedite getting this plan in place when they need one.”
Learning Access Plans provide specialist services, study and assessment accommodations, like assignment extensions when needed, and longer timeframes to complete exams for students who need additional support to thrive in their studies.
“We’re very good at getting students into that support system when they need it. Some students have learning difficulties, autism, impairment, injury or ADHD.
“I think ADHD is the next big frontier of uni support and we’re ahead of the game on this. We have structures around it.”
Jane is currently trialling an autism support academic mentor session, which is working well for 50% of students. “This is more about helping them manage their day-to-day life, like getting up and going to class, not forgetting assessment criteria and so on. The extra support really helps.”
Academic Mentors and Tutors at Jane
At the end of each year, Jane facilitates an open application process for students who wish to be academic mentors or tutors for incoming students in their study area.
Students provide an expression of interest with their CV. Applications are reviewed before inviting students to interview.
“I make the selection once I know what the incoming cohort looks like to match students to mentors in their field of study – like law, medicine, science, marine and Antarctic studies and engineering. Some growth areas, like IMAS, require extra support so we ensure there is extra help here.
Jane, unique in Tasmania
Nick says Jane is unique in Tasmania, and it’s the community aspect that sets Jane apart. The community is quick to embrace newcomers, which leads to a real confidence that comes through: “people come in shy, and then become way more confident versions of themselves.” And while Nick is there to be an advocate for students, he is also part of Jane’s life. He looks out for the students, eats lunch at the dining hall, and gets involved in their activities.
“I’m very competitive, we had a Jane nerf war on today – last year Sarah, the Dean of Students, and I got banned for going on a killing spree, we were just too good – I’m a mild-mannered academic until you put a nerf gun in my hand.”
When Nick is not supporting the students at Jane, he can be found running or walking along the South Hobart Rivulet Track, cold water swimming in Blackmans Bay (which he was doing before it became a thing), or soaking up the metropolitan vibe at Bear with Me Café.
Listen to Nick on ABC mornings with Rick Goddard at 5.35 am on Friday’s.