About Rachel… I have been surviving and thriving in higher education since 2011. Drawing on my portfolio of experience across the student journey managing and developing processes, policies, and systems, I’ve spearheaded initiatives that have demonstrably improved efficiency, quality, and accessibility of services. I’m a firm believer in continuous improvement and ensuring higher education is truly fair and accessible. The commercialisation and internationalisation of higher education has created a growing, yet undervalued and invisible, professional workforce. Disparaging narratives about the rise of professional staff are perpetuated, overlooking their crucial role in navigating increased regulation and complexity. The sector lacks dedicated support for their professional development, with existing resources focused on academics or management. Given these challenges, I am committed to fostering a culture of professionalisation for these roles. My goal is to create accessible spaces for debate and self-discovery, empowering professional staff to not only navigate the constant change within universities but also claim their intellectual space within and beyond the traditional academic sphere. I am passionate about supporting others in professional services in higher education through coaching and mentoring. Surviving and Thriving in Higher Education Professional Services: a guide to success Find out about my forthcoming book being published 2 December 2024 or download the accompanying workbook.