Andy Feau

Student Transition and Retention Senior Manager
Student Hub

Andy Feau has spent 12 years helping students find their footing at the moments that matter most – enrolment, orientation and everything in between. Along the way, he's built AUT's peer advisor, student ambassador and RUOK programmes into a pipeline for developing student leaders, not just supporting them.

What’s your role and how long have you been at AUT?

Student transition and retention senior manager, and I’ve been here 12 years.

What made you choose AUT – and what made you stay?

I chose AUT because it felt like a place where people, purpose and possibility genuinely came together. I was drawn to AUT’s focus on real-world learning, its strong connection to students and communities, and the sense that the work here could make a meaningful difference.

What made me stay is the students, people and the impact. I’ve stayed because I get to work alongside passionate, values-driven colleagues who care deeply about students and their success. I’ve also stayed because the work continues to feel purposeful – supporting students through key transition points, helping them feel connected and confident, and contributing to programmes that make a real difference to their experience at AUT. At its heart, AUT has given me the opportunity to grow, contribute and be part of something bigger than myself – and that’s what has kept me here.

What has surprised you most about working here?

What has surprised me most about working here is how much the work extends beyond the work in front of us. I expected the role to be focused on student transition and support, but I’ve been surprised by how often that work creates a much wider ripple effect – helping students feel more confident, connected and able to navigate their university experience.

I’ve also been struck by the people and culture. There is a strong sense of care, collaboration and shared purpose, and it’s clear that people genuinely want to make a positive difference. Seeing how teams come together to support students, especially during key transition points, has reinforced for me how meaningful this work is and how much impact it can have across the wider university community.

When did you last think: this is why I do this job?

The last time I thought “this is why I do this job” was when I saw the direct impact of our work on students who may have otherwise felt unsure, disconnected or overwhelmed. Moments where a student gains confidence, finds the right support or feels like they belong at AUT remind me that this work matters. For me, it is especially powerful seeing student leaders’ step into their roles with care, confidence and a genuine desire to help others. Watching them support their peers, create welcoming spaces and contribute to a stronger student experience reinforces why I do this mahi. It’s about more than programmes or events; it’s about connection, belonging, and helping students feel seen, supported and capable of succeeding.

What does working here let you do that you couldn’t do anywhere else?

Working here gives me the opportunity to build a career that is deeply connected to purpose, people and impact. In my role, I can contribute directly to the student experience in ways that are meaningful, visible and long-lasting – supporting students through key transition points, helping them feel a sense of belonging and creating programmes that strengthen their confidence, connection and success.

What makes this environment unique is the scale and reach of that impact. The work I do does not sit in isolation; it connects across teams, campuses, student groups and wider institutional priorities. I have the opportunity to shape initiatives that support students at critical moments in their journey, while also developing student leaders through the peer advisors, student ambassadors and RUOK programmes. Seeing students grow in confidence, support one another and contribute back to the AUT community is something that feels especially meaningful.

From a career perspective, working here allows me to lead work that is both strategic and people-centred. I can contribute to broader organisational goals while staying close to the lived experiences of students and staff. That combination – being able to influence systems, support teams and still see the human impact of the work – is something I don’t think I could experience in the same way anywhere else.

It's also a place where impact is recognised not only through formal outcomes, but through relationships, trust and shared success. The work is valued because it makes a tangible difference: to students navigating university life, to colleagues working collaboratively across AUT and to the wider sense of community we’re building. That recognition gives the work meaning beyond our tasks or projects, it reinforces that what we do matters.