Pathways To Dreaming Big: Long-Term Impact for Indigenous Futures

This session explores Western Sydney University’s long-standing commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prospective students through the Pathways to Dreaming program. Operating since 2009, the initiative takes a holistic, culturally grounded approach to fostering aspiration and achievement for Indigenous high school students.

Learn how sustained partnerships with schools, families, and communities are creating meaningful pathways to higher education. We’ll share insights on program design, impact, and lessons learned from engaging thousands of prospective students across western Sydney.

Speaker - Tania Shepherd

Tania is a proud Wiradjuri woman with links to the Bonham, Kendall and Squires families.

Tania has been employed at Western Sydney University since May 2022 and works with a deadly team to deliver the Pathways To Dreaming program as part of the Future Student Engagement programs as well as a range of strategies to engage Indigenous prospective students.

Prior to working at Western, Tania worked at NSW Health in South Western Sydney Local Health District for just over 20 years in areas such as administration, human resources and Aboriginal workforce.