Cara supports SUMS members and clients with a variety of student journey and experience projects, including process mapping, policy and process reviews, and sector research on topical issues. She helps universities take a holistic view on how their Faculties, Academic Registry and Student Services teams can better interact to improve the student experience. She enjoys facilitating online and in-person workshops on any topic and likes to use interactive engagement tools such as Mentimeter, Miro and Padlet.

Prior to joining SUMS in 2023, Cara worked at The Open University adapting a change management methodology to support their Student Services Portfolio’s agile delivery framework. Between 2015 and 2021 she worked in a variety of roles at King’s College London, often focused on the pastoral support of students. Cara was the Product Owner for the launch of the university’s student-facing CRM, Student Services Online, and designed a strategy for the university’s student-facing content, mapping online resources and then influencing multiple support services and academic faculties to commit to new ways of working.

How has Cara recently supported universities?

  • Middlesex University and Ulster University: extenuating circumstances & academic appeals reviews
  • University of Plymouth: student case management
  • Royal College of Art: student journey mapping
  • Aberystwyth University: student policy framework

Cara lives in South West Scotland and when weather permits, is outside building a self-sufficient garden with the help of her partner, two dogs and three chickens. They also like exploring the UK in their campervan (just without the chickens).

Connect with Cara on LinkedIn