Sophie leads the Student Success Team responsible for the design and delivery of several new and interconnected projects under the Student Success Academy, including our Diversity and Inclusion programmes. Together, these initiatives offer a holistic and innovative skills development package designed to help all students to achieve their full potential through lifelong skills. The projects include: Ludus Gold, Ready Set Loughborough, Personal Best+ (including Micro Internships), Academic Success Coaching and our Future Black Talent Programme. 

Sophie joined Careers Network in 2019 as Student Enterprise Adviser following several years of studying (English and Creative Writing) and working (Marketing and Advancement) at Loughborough while running her own creative business. Having worked as a coach for students and graduates wishing to start their own businesses, Sophie is an advocate for the development of entrepreneurial skills and operationally led the Student Enterprise team as part of Loughborough Enterprise Network (LEN) until 2021. As Student Success Manager, Sophie is part of the Management Team and takes an active lead on EDI (including Access and Participation) and Marketing and Communications. 

Emma provides 1:1 and group coaching to help students achieve academic success, working with them to increase their motivation and reach their full potential. Through in-person and virtual delivery, Emma researches and delivers on a range of skills, including time management, organisation, prioritisation, procrastination and perfectionism, work/life/study balance, study planning, routine setting, presentation skills and communication.

Emma has worked in Higher Education since 2018, joining the Student Success Academy at Loughborough University in 2022. Prior to this she worked in various careers services supporting students in 1:1s and in groups. Emma is currently completing her MA in Coaching with the University of Huddersfield.

Lynn provides 1:1 and group coaching to help students achieve academic success, working with them to increase motivation and reach their full potential. Through in-person and virtual delivery, Lynn supports students with a range of skills, including self-awareness and reflection, identity, confidence, goal-setting, organisational skills, motivation, productivity, work/life/study balance, and reducing overwhelm.

Lynn joined the Student Success Academy in January 2024 and brings years of experience working in both corporate and educational settings. In 2017, Lynn started her own coaching business, focusing on helping clients who feel stuck simplify their lives and reduce overwhelm. She identifies goals and barriers, supports motivation and behaviour change, and empowers clients to achieve their goals.

Lynn is a qualified coach and a member of the International Coaching Federation. She is passionate about supporting students through coaching to fulfil their potential and feel happier within their academic life and beyond.

Natasha provides 1:1 and group coaching to help students achieve academic success, working with them to increase their motivation and reach their full potential. Through in-person and virtual delivery, Natasha researches and delivers on a range of skills including: wellbeing, confidence, resilience, motivation, self-awareness and reflection, identity and belonging, procrastination and perfectionism.

Natasha has worked in universities in various roles since 2018 and joined the Academic Success Coaches in January 2024. She has dedicated her time in Higher Education to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their goals. As a first-generation university graduate and the grandchild of refugees, Natasha has lived experience of overcoming barriers in the pursuit of higher education. She is passionate about equipping other students with the tools needed to maximise their potential in the face of similar challenges.

Hemisha leads a small team with the aim to level the playing field for students from under represented groups and empower and enable them to secure placements and other forms of work experience. This is done through a range of programmes, including the Future Black Talent Programme, student appointments and workshops, employer and guest speaker sessions, competitions and more.

Hemisha joined Careers Network in 2012 as an Information Assistant and worked her way up to Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator having completed various ILM courses including coaching. Over the years, Hemisha has worked in many teams working with graduate employers, academic schools and students. Being an ethnic minority and a first-generation university graduate from a low income background who struggled with her own career, Hemisha has an understanding of the difficulties and barriers underrepresented people can face and is passionate to eliminate these for other students.

Gemma is responsible for supporting the Student Success Team, focusing on students from underrepresented groups, leading on the Future Black Talent and Talent Match programmes.  She liaises with employers and external organisations for events to generate and sustain meaningful work experience opportunities for students, and offers student communication services to maximise their experience and engagement whilst at Loughborough University and beyond.

Recently graduating from Nottingham Trent University Gemma joined Careers Network in 2022 bringing with her 14 years experience of working predominantly in the Criminal Justice System with young people, adults and families. She has a particular interest in Widening Participation and supporting BME students with academic studies.

Afra’s role is to work alongside the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator in running, assisting and promoting a variety of diversity and inclusion programmes, events and workshops such as the Future Black Talent and Talent Match. She will be offering support to current students and graduates who are looking for advice and guidance in their search for placement and work opportunities.

Afra joined the Careers Network in 2022 with a background working with small social enterprises. She is experienced in managing projects aimed to broaden opportunities for marginalised young people including BAME and disabled individuals as well as working in social media marketing to promote mental health support for university students. This reflects her passion for equality and accessibility in the education system. 

Andy’s role is to provide specialist coordination for a portfolio of key skills development programmes designed to significantly contribute to Access and Participation targets, student experiences and positive graduate outcomes. This is delivered with the support of the Student Success Project Officers, colleagues in Careers Network and working with other stakeholders across the university such as the School and College Liaison Team and the Students’ Union.

Andy joined Careers Network in November 2021 as Student Success Coordinator. Prior to this, he has worked at all levels of education including secondary, supporting progression with English, further education, with progression towards positive destinations and at the Students’ Union of a leading university working with academic-based student societies. In this previous role he created and managed multiple projects enhancing the student experience and streamlining processes for student committees, particularly around training. He also led significant elements of large events such as the Welcome Fair and was responsible for bidding for, winning and delivering a national event celebrating student societies. 

Emily's role is to lead the Get Ahead Together peer mentoring programme helping new students settle into life at Loughborough, along with developing activities to support improving student knowledge of money management. She also delivers and supports a range of projects across the Student Success Academy and the wider Careers Network. 

Emily joined the Student Success Academy in 2023. Prior to this, she worked as a teacher in Primary Education for 7 years and worked as part of the leadership team leading the development of the curriculum and mentoring early career and trainee teachers. Whilst studying at University, Emily worked as part of the Outreach and Education Liaison team and supported a large number of events for prospective students and local schools and colleges.

Samara’s role is to support the Student Success Team with the preparation and delivery of various projects. In particular, she works alongside the Academic Success Coaches to design and deliver resources, workshops and 1:1 coaching appointments, to help students achieve academic success, increase their motivation and reach their full potential.

Samara joined the Student Success Academy in 2023 as a recent Loughborough graduate and brings several years of experience in supporting higher education students in various roles. She has developed and delivered training to promote and assist in supporting student welfare. Samara has also facilitated the delivery of numerous 1:1 and group mentoring sessions to students, with a particular emphasis on supporting individuals from under-represented groups and encouraging student support for mental health and wellbeing.

Tanisha’s role is to support the Student Success Team with the preparation and delivery of various projects.

In particular, she works alongside the Academic Success Coaches to design and deliver resources, workshops and 1:1 coaching appointments to help students achieve academic success, increase their motivation and reach their full potential.

Tanisha joined the Student Success Academy in 2023 as a recent Loughborough graduate and brings several years of experience in supporting higher education students in various roles. She has facilitated mental wellbeing meetings for students during her post-graduate studies, encouraging student support for mental health, and has also been a trainee counsellor during her PG Diploma. She is passionate about helping students equip themselves to tackle their academics without compromising other aspects of their lives. She seeks to help gain balance between one's professional and personal life, making the university experience enriching.

Rebecca’s role is to provide support for a portfolio of key skills development programmes designed to significantly contribute to Access and Participation targets, student experiences and positive graduate outcomes.  She provides careers advice and interview coaching appointments and works on projects to support students with their personal and professional development, through developing innovative resources, events and interventions designed to enhance the employability of students and graduates.  She delivers and supports on a range of projects across the Student Success Academy and the wider Careers Network.

Rebecca joined the Careers Network team in 2022 having previously worked with both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the School of Business and Economics as a programme administrator, as well as having worked as an experienced timetabling officer and a programme manager in the School of Science.  Rebecca brings over 17 years of invaluable HE experience to Careers Network.  She has experience of offering careers advice and guidance, presenting, organising events, student communication, pastoral support and wellbeing.  Her passion is ensuring students have the necessary life skills to succeed and helping them to reach their full potential.