A La Trobe University program is supporting Indigenous high school students to explore university life, build confidence, and feel connected before they even enrol.

The RISE Indigenous pathway program assists Year 9 to 12 students connect with the Indigenous Student Services team, explore study options and access tailored support, with a goal to make the university feel familiar and welcoming before students start their degrees.

Leah, now in her second year of Social Work at La Trobe's Melbourne (Bundoora) campus, joined RISE in 2022.

She said the program's culturally appropriate support influenced her decision to study at La Trobe.

"I had first attended my first Rise Program in 2022 where I attended a cultural camp out at Bacchus Marsh," Leah said.

"I then also attended another camp organised by RISE in 2023, forming friendships and connections, getting to know the campus and learning about courses had helped me decide to come study at La Trobe."

Tasmin also joined RISE in 2022 during Year 11, starting with a camp at the Melbourne (Bundoora campus) followed by a cultural camp in Bacchus Marsh.

She is now studying Criminology at La Trobe.

"Both experiences were fun, valuable and supportive. After these camps, I chose to do the Tertiary Preparation Program [TPP] and RISE ensured I had tutoring and the support needed to complete TPP," she said.

"RISE has introduced me to new friends, shown me the campus and helped me discover possible study pathways."

RISE camps bring students together from across Victoria and the Northern Territory for cultural connection, hands-on workshops and a real taste of university life.

The program is making a significant difference for Indigenous students who don't necessarily have a clear path to university study.

"Before joining RISE, I initially thought that university would require a lot of hard work and effort and a heavy load of studying," Leah said.

"It gave me the reassurance that university isn't that scary, it is also full of opportunities and rewarding challenges to develop growth."

Thirty-nine Indigenous students have enrolled at Latrobe through RISE since 2023.

Similar to Leah and Tasmin, many have become RISE student ambassadors, helping run camps and support others.

"The support from Simone and Jake before I came to university made me feel so relieved… they made me feel welcomed and that I had a place where I could go on campus," Tasmin said.

More information about La Trobe University's RISE program can be found online.