An image of the Parkinson Building at the University of Leeds

Equality & Diversity Exec Laila shows support for new Access & Student Success Strategy

Your Equality and Diversity Officer Laila Fletcher has voiced her support for the University’s Access and Student Success Strategy launched on 27 November in a Leeds Conversation event.

The strategy – which was developed in consultation with stakeholders including student representative Laila – lays out the University’s vision to make the University of Leeds “a place where students from diverse backgrounds feel they belong, can thrive, and are valued for their unique contribution”.

Laila said: “I’m really happy to be supporting the Student Success Strategy, because it has a focus on empowering our students from underrepresented backgrounds to feel welcomed, supported and valued at Leeds. The strategy has a focus on mature students and those from low participation neighbourhoods and ethinic minorities”.

At a glance, the strategy is set out across four pillars of the student lifecycle:

Access: Prospective students can see themselves at Leeds and gain a place

Continuation: All students feel they belong and matter to the University

Attainment: All students are valued and able to thrive academically

Progression: Our students have the opportunity to achieve their unique goals

These pillars are supported by the University’s culture and systems to enable an embedded and evidence-based inclusive approach.

Laila added: “The aims of the strategy align with my work on cultivating a sense of belonging for our students and the priorities I have for the year, such as researching how the admissions processes can better support the needs of our students within Ethnic Minorities.

“I am very happy to support this initiative, and eager to continue collaborating with the uni in any way I can.  Sense of belonging is incredibly important to us at LUU, and the initiatives within the strategy speak to that.”

To watch the launch event and read the strategy in full, visit the University of Leeds website.