What Is The Academy?
The Academy is a co-curricular group at Western Sydney University for high-achieving students. It encourages academic excellence, personal and professional development, community participation and more. To members, The Academy offers networking events, mentorships, exclusive study and social spaces, and international study tours. They aim to provide students with the support, resources and experience to make an impact on the community.
Teaching lead and Academy developer, Luce Andrews, stated, “The Academy offers unique and bespoke opportunities for students to engage with their broader world and learning.”
Core values explored in The Academy program are lifelong learning, leadership for life, global citizenship, student-centeredness, employability and adaptability. “In a nutshell, The Academy is an interdisciplinary, co-curricular leadership program made up of students looking to build their leadership capabilities and in turn enhance their employability outcomes,” said Elizabeth Sanchez, the coordinator of The Academy. “Our vision for The Academy is to ensure our students are equipped with skills to succeed in the workplace, and in life, beyond their degree and university studies.”
Who Is Eligible For The Academy?
Students are eligible for an invitation into the Academy with an ATAR of 85 or above, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 or above, and with 20 hours of community participation. Students with a GPA of 6.0 or above are not required to complete the community participation hours before joining.
Andrews encourages students to consider joining the Academy and think about what they might bring to the Academy.
“You are unique and skilled and other people have a lot to learn from you.”
Sign Directing to The Academy Social/Study Space, Parramatta South Campus. Photo by Julia Bell, 2025.
What’s The Academy’s Mission?
During students’ time in The Academy, there is a point-based system to reward community participation and campus engagement. This enables students to graduate with a Citizen Scholar Award. This is an opportunity exclusively offered to members of The Academy, and it appears on their Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) following the completion of both their base degree and the Academy Program.
The Academy also provides students with the option to enrol in the Bachelor of Creative Leadership (BCL) program. This is a concurrent degree designed especially to work alongside students’ base degree. This course enables students to enhance their innovative and creative processes, critical thinking, and leadership skills. It consists of eight subjects, each with accompanying assessments designed to prepare students for future experiences.
“I can’t recommend the BCL enough,” said Ellie Winter, a Western Sydney University graduate, staff member and Academy alum.
“I recently completed my studies in the BCL,” Winter explained. “The BCL has complimented my (communications) degree, but I truly believe it would be highly compatible with any field of study.”
She recalls subject highlights ‘Leadership in Complexity’, ‘Logic, Argumentation and Post-Truth’, and ‘Citizenship and Community Engagement’.
“I don’t think I would have been able to achieve what I have without the BCL,” Winter added.
With many careers, networking is paramount to ensuring success. “Conversations with industry leaders, committed researchers and developers, and community leaders including members of Parliament, not only help in building networks but also help in learning by doing,” explained Andrews. “Several students have then taken these connections and developed them into placement and/or employment opportunities.”
Winter reflects on the professional development opportunities presented to her during her time in The Academy; “The internship component in Citizenship and Community Engagement led me to my current employment, allowing me to break into the competitive media industry.”
Although, it is also important for students to stay connected with each other. Not only does The Academy provide professional development, but they also facilitate social growth. “It can be tough to make and maintain social connections within a busy work/study life,” Andrews continued, “and the Academy membership offers opportunities for students to connect with likeminded folk who come from a wide range of different disciplines and therefore offer a wider range of ways of approaching issues.”
The Academy support staff are compassionate and motivated to ensure students grow as people and succeed in the workplace. Winter speaks highly about them; “The Support staff at The Academy are wonderful, empathetic and dedicated to the success of students.”
Building students up for success is at the heart of The Academy. Their mission is to equip students with the connections, skills and leadership qualities that will enable them to succeed in the workplace and beyond.
“We are a community,” Sanchez continued. “A place for students to feel heard, to meet like-minded people and develop lifelong friendships. We support our students, help them achieve their goals, guide them through their university experience. We are a place where our students contribute to their development and success. We listen to them and help them achieve their goals, objectives and aspirations.”
Western students can apply to join the Academy here or email the team for more information via theacademy@westernsydney.edu.au
Follow the Academy on Instagram @theacademyatwestern for networking events, job opportunities and exclusive initiatives!
