UNE Taree University Centre stalwart, Yves Byers, is moving on to a well-deserved retirement at the end of the year after 23 years on the job and will leave big shoes to fill.
Stepping up is Mid Coast local Erin Saunders who brings to the role strong community and professional networks after sixteen years of working within the media industry.
Erin is a mother of two, owns a small property with her husband and loves the beautiful Taree area deeply.
She has a strong affiliation with UNE (and deep familiarity with the Taree Centre) after many years of external tertiary study that resulted in a Bachelor of Communications in 2013. She returned to study in 2021 and has benefitted from using the Taree University Centre as a student, a familiarity which she believes helps her to better understand what the UNE student experience is truly like.
Erin says she’s always been a strong advocate for the Taree facility and consider herself very fortunate to join the team.
“I am passionate about education. Being married to a secondary school teacher I understand the importance of education and the life changing journey it can be for many people.”
“I’m excited by the prospect of applying community engagement strategies, as well as student engagement and retention strategies to help build upon the message – ‘tertiary education can be for everyone’.”
Part of Erin’s motivation to drive the profile of UNE throughout the Mid Coast is to ensure a future where our children can have a plethora of tertiary options at their fingertips, and to empower as many people as possible through study. She is passionate about bridging the gap for people of all walks of life entering into tertiary studies and breaking down the ‘myths’ surrounding obtaining a university degree.
Erin believes her previous role gave her the benefit, like many other online students, to put theory into practice while working. Studying online, working and raising children also taught her the importance of managing that elusive work/ life balance we all aspire to.
“While some days I feel it’s almost impossible, the best remedy for me to unwind is to focus on the simple things, like a weekend at home with the kids, riding horses and a good book – if I can stay awake long enough to read it.”
“I’m really excited to take on the role of coordinator at UNE Taree University Centre and help guide students towards feeling comfortable and confident with the subject choice and approaches to study.”