What I love most about my role is connecting with students from all walks of life and seeing their journey unfold. Watching them grow, face challenges, and succeed is incredibly rewarding. It’s those everyday interactions that remind me why this work matters.
I’m currently the Head of Student Life at Rose Bruford College, where I oversee a wide range of student support services including wellbeing, disability services, counselling, and more. My main responsibility is to make sure our students have access to the right support and that we’re responsive to their individual needs.
One moment that has stayed with me was working with a student who was a survivor of domestic violence. When she first came to us, she was dealing with immense emotional and practical challenges. Over time, through consistent support and her own strength, she began to rebuild her life. Seeing her walk across the stage at graduation was one of the most emotional and proud moments of my career. It reminded me why this work matters so deeply—because sometimes, it’s not just about academic success, but about helping someone reclaim their future.
What’s one career highlight you’re proud of?
In one of my previous roles, I had the opportunity to build a wellbeing department from the ground up. Every service we offered was the result of long hours, careful planning, and genuine commitment. The results spoke for themselves—we saw excellent student retention, high engagement with wellbeing services, and a 95% student satisfaction rate. That experience really showed me what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
Achieving all of this at a relatively young age is, of course, a bonus—but more than anything, it motivates me to keep growing and pushing for better support systems for students.
How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Turkey, and during university, I visited the UK and instantly knew I wanted to pursue my master’s degree here. While studying, I started working in higher education as a department assistant. It was a small role, but it opened the door.
After completing my psychology degree and studying child development, I moved to the University of Lincoln to do my masters in developmental psychology. I worked in the international student department while completing my degree, and that’s where my journey in student services really began.
From there, I took on officer roles, moved into management, and eventually stepped into my current role. Being in higher education is more than a job—it’s a chance to shape lives and support students during such a formative time. That’s what keeps me going.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
One of my previous managers once told me that I was very ambitious and eager to do well across many areas—but that I’d benefit from narrowing my focus and building real depth. That advice really stayed with me. Since then, I’ve focused on developing my expertise in student support services. I want to learn as much as I can so I can offer the best possible support to students.
My AHEP Journey:
I recently became an AHEP member, but I’ve already attended some great online webinars and connected with professionals across the sector. It’s a brilliant way to keep up with national developments and to ensure we’re maintaining similar standards. Even though I’m quite new, I can already see the value in being part of this community.
The event ‘Leading Through Turbulence’ in Spring, really stood out. The sector is going through constant change, and very few institutions are truly settled. That session helped me think about how to manage change in a constructive way, and how to lead with calm and purpose even when things feel uncertain.
It’s a great way to connect with colleagues across the UK, stay informed about what’s happening in the sector, and share ideas. Whether you’re just starting out or already in a leadership role, there’s something valuable here for everyone.
One of the most exciting projects I’m working on is around improving our disability services. We want to make sure every student has equal access and opportunity—especially important in an arts college, where creativity is at the heart of everything we do.
And on a more joyful note, I’m planning to attend a play that our students are putting on. Supporting them outside the classroom and seeing their creativity come to life is one of the best parts of the job.
Would you like to share your career and AHEP story? Get in touch with the team to express your interest: hello@ahep.ac.uk
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