Growing a Stronger Community Together
This year we proudly marked the graduation of the 1000th course graduate; proud Wonnarua-Gringai Woman, Nikyah Hutchings. Nikyah has graduated with a Graduate Certificate of Marketing and Digital Communications. In her role as Executive Producer, Commercial and Sponsored Content at National Indigenous Television (NITV), Nikyah works with First Nations Communities creating content and honouring their stories.
Nikyah was joined by her incredibly proud parents, Rebecca and Brad, and welcomed by staff at the William Cooper Institute to celebrate this profound achievement. Nikyah reflected on those that came before her, honouring the privilege of being one of many who have walked the path of higher education, while paying homage to the wrap-around support she has received from her own Community, as well as from the staff and students from the William Cooper Institute.
The William Cooper Institute is a supportive environment that offers a range of tailored student support services to maximise the success of all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students that choose to study at Monash - a home away from home.
We are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students see Monash as a destination of choice, are supported into and throughout their course of study, and are able to utilise their learnings for the benefit of their Communities.
“It’s an inspiring opportunity to work at the William Cooper Institute, supporting First Nations students as they pursue their chosen degrees and grow into real-life changemakers. The institute is named after my Uncle William Cooper, who in his own right was a change maker well before his time. We have a great team that supports students from the very beginning before enrolment, whilst they study, and then in my current role maintaining connections with First Nations Alumni. In our Communities connection is all we have and what helps strengthen our communities.” Brady Cooper, Yorta Yorta Man and Indigenous Engagement and Project Officer said.
This is a profound achievement for Monash and a powerful reminder of the role universities, and self-determined institutions like the William Cooper Institute play in enabling opportunity and fostering success. Each student and degree conferred represents a story of resilience, resistance and achievement.
This achievement is both a celebration and a call to continue creating pathways to success and fostering a community from enrolment to graduation and beyond.
We are confident that the knowledge, skills, and strong sense of community that Nikyah has cultivated during her time at Monash will only complement her remarkable achievements. We look forward to seeing her flourish in her role at NITV and whichever path she chooses to trail next.
For current students, if you haven’t already done so please reach out to the William Cooper Institute, for prospective students book in a time to discuss your future with us, and for those curious to hear more stories like Nikyah please join our online community.