First Year Advisers

First Year Advisers Team

Need advice and first year? First Year Advisers can support domestic, first year students* to navigate study and student life at SCU.

First Year Advisers are available to *domestic, first year students who are studying in the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, or Faculty of Education, Online or at the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Coomera campuses .

First Year Advisers will assist students in person, online or over the phone and their goal is to guide and support students to enable their first year success.

Advisers will support first year students to:

  • prepare for studies and student life at SCU
  • understand what studying at SCU is like
  • connect with support and services
  • set and work through student goals
  • stay on track throughout the term and year.

Focus faculties for 2023

For 2023, we have dedicated First Year Advisers for students* studying bachelor degrees, associate degrees and undergraduate certificates in:

  1. Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
  2. Faculty of Education

Contact us: firstyear@scu.edu.au or Phone: 02 6620 3066

Students in other Faculties and Colleges should contact Client Services or International Student Support.

* SCU main campuses Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Coomera and Online.

Meet the First-Year Adviser Team

Get to know the team who will be your first point of contact and here to help you throughout your first year.

We are open from 9am – 5pm (Australian Eastern Standard time - AEST). Contact our team at firstyear@scu.edu.au, or call an adviser directly using one of our numbers below. If you don't know who your adviser is, call 02 6620 3066.

You can also meet us in person and we would love you to come and say hello.

Bianca Pizzol

Bianca Pizzol - First Year Coordinator

Faculty focus: Faculty of Education, Faculty of Business, Law & Arts
Campus: Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore and Online
Location: Shop 7, Goodman Plaza, Lismore
For me, one of the delights of working in student support is watching a first year student’s journey from O Week, when everything is new, to a skilled student by the end of the first year. The First Year Adviser team are a caring group, with insider knowledge and they will help you find the answers you need to survive and thrive in your first year.

Chris Hannigan

Chris Hannigan - First Year Adviser

Faculty focus: Faculty of Business, Law & Arts 
Campus: Gold Coast (Room: B3.21b) and Online
Phone: 07 5589 3540
I’m now a proud Gold Coaster, I love the beach and hinterland but enjoy travelling and seeing new places, near and far. I have a passion for working with students, fostering solid study habits, helping navigate uni life and supporting your well-being. Friendly, easily contactable and based on the Gold Coast campus, I look forward to being a part of your university journey.

Ella Hegh

Ella Hegh - First Year Adviser

Faculty focus: Faculty of Business, Law & Arts 
Campus: Lismore (Shop 7, Goodman Plaza) and Online
Phone: 02 6620 3850
As a former student, I know how challenging the first year can be. I am here to help students get started and guide you through the first year. I can assist you in developing your decision-making and problem-solving toolkit. Also, I can direct you to the appropriate resources, whether that is for academic, administrative or emotional support. Our University has a range of services to help make your start to university, a great one.

Gabby Richmond

Gabby Pires - First Year Adviser

Faculty focus: Faculty of Education
Campus: Lismore (Shop 7, Goodman Plaza) and Online
Phone: 02 6620 3179
I look back on my time at university fondly; particularly my first year. I aim to draw from my experience to provide students with information and guidance to encourage their personal growth. I believe all students come to SCU with a unique set of skills, talents and passions as they set out to achieve their goals. Importantly, I endeavour to be a friendly face for students and commit to enhancing their experience at our University.

Kyle Holland-Sewell

Kyle Holland-Sewell - First Year Adviser

Faculty focus: Faculty of Education
Campus: Coffs Harbour (Room: M.G.20) and Online
Phone: 02 6659 3997
I take great pride in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for my advisees to feel comfortable and calm. Starting at university can come with many challenges. I feel privileged to draw upon my knowledge and experience to help students overcome obstacles that stand in their way. It is a rewarding process to connect and collaborate with students, and I strive to empower students with the tools to be successful.

Paula Muscat

Paula Muscat - First Year Adviser

Faculty focus: Faculty of Education
Campus: Gold Coast (Room: B3.21a) and Online
Phone: 07 5589 3534
I'm here to provide information and advice backed by a genuine understanding of the student experience. I wish to connect with you through honesty and build a relationship that I hope will only empower you to achieve your full potential in your first year at Southern Cross University.