Rate My Professor Julie Godwin

Julie Godwin is the First Year Advisor (Sciences) in the Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic), School of Science and Technology at the University of New England. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from the University of New England, Master of Disaster Studies (MDisStud) from the University of Newcastle, Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GradCertEdStud) from Newcastle, Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (GradCertHigherEd) and Graduate Certificate in Learning from UNE, Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment from TNE, and accreditation as a PASS Supervisor from the University of Missouri and University of Wollongong. Godwin completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Higher Education at the University of Tasmania between 2014 and 2020. In her role, she assists first-year science students in identifying learning needs and expectations, introduces resources and strategies to build academic skills, and promotes independent learning and success in tertiary study. This includes individual consultations, workshops, seminars, Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), discipline-specific resources, monitoring student progress, and referrals to university services. Godwin has a long career history at UNE, contributing to first-year support initiatives since at least 2002 through various presentations and programs focused on student transitions, academic literacies, and persistence.

Godwin's research specializations include students' beliefs about the nature of knowledge and learning, mismatches in learning environment expectations as predictors of persistence, and peer learning. Key publications encompass 'Developing Information Literacy and Academic Writing Skills Through the Collaborative Design of an Assessment Task for First Year Engineering Students' (2015), 'An Exploration of Epistemological Beliefs, Learning Environment Expectations and Persistence Intentions: Insights into the Shaping of Student Persistence in the First Semester of University Study at Three Australian Universities' (2018), and 'Reconceptualising student experience: Creating inter-connections between the curricular, co-curricular and technologies into a seamless place of learning' (2013). She also authored interactive learning resources such as the Student Success Planner series on assignments, exams, managing information, presentations, and working together (2013). Godwin's contributions to student learning have been recognized with two national Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in 2006: one for sustained excellence in creating an inclusive first-year learning community with developmentally appropriate opportunities, and another for exemplary support of non-traditional students enhancing engagement with higher education and academic literacies (both team awards). In 2011, she received the UNE Faculty of Arts and Science Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for leadership, implementation, and development of PASS programs for first-year students in mathematics, statistics, and chemistry units. Her work has significantly influenced first-year student success and persistence in science disciplines at UNE.