Student Hub Assistant Rhona tells us about the ways she supports students, what she considers the most rewarding part of her job, and how she ended up learning four languages.

Hi Rhona! Can you tell me a bit about your role and how you support students?

As a Student Hub Assistant, I’m the first point of contact for students who have any questions – big or small, academic or personal.

Students can call us, send us an email at ask@stir.ac.uk or get in touch with us through live chat on the student Portal. We’re also available in-person down at the Student Services Hub on the ground floor of Campus Central. Sometimes we’re able to answer student queries directly, and other times we put them in touch with the team that can give them the answer they need.

The point of the Student Services Hub is that students don’t need to know who they need to speak to, they just contact us, we ask a few questions and use that information to signpost them or make appointments with the relevant Student Support Services advisor.

How did you get into this role?

I have a background in career guidance and, while doing my diploma, I completed a variety of placements. One of the placements was at Strathclyde University, and it was there I decided I really liked the university environment and wanted to work in higher education. So that’s how I ended up working at Stirling. I’ve been here just over a year now and I’m really enjoying it.

What would you say is your favourite part of your job?

I like that no two days are the same. Every query is different.

I also enjoy meeting new people. We’ve got a lot of international students at the University and it’s great getting to know students from different cultures and backgrounds.

Another thing I like about my job is seeing positive outcomes for students. Sometimes, when they first get in touch, they can be anxious or worried and really you feel that sense of relief when they talk to us. It’s nice seeing the difference between the first time they speak to us versus when their problem is solved.

What would you want students to know about the service?

Definitely where the Student Services Hub is on campus. We’re on the ground floor of Campus Central, just opposite the Macrobert Arts Centre.

Can you tell me a fun fact about yourself?

I’ve lived in four different countries and speak three languages. I grew up in France and spoke French and English. We were taught Spanish in school and I picked that up quite easily as, to me, it’s quite similar to French.

I moved to Scotland for my fourth year in high school then, after finishing school, I went on to study Tourism Management and Spanish at Edinburgh Napier. When I got the chance to study abroad in Spain in my third year, I took it. I needed to be in the sun. That was definitely the highlight of my degree.

After graduating, I moved to Kent in England and worked with a holiday company for a year – it was a lot of fun.

Thanks for speaking to us Rhona!

The Student Services Hub brings lots of services together to help you resolve a range of queries through a single point of contact, easily access the services you need, and thrive during your studies. Find out more on the University of Stirling website.