Connection is key, says student success mentor and Brisbane Striker fullback | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

If students feel comfortable, they are going to be more successful. 

That’s the view of Bundjalung man and Brisbane Strikers soccer fullback Josiah Green, who is using his experience as a University of the Sunshine Coast student to support others. 

After graduating with a Bachelor of Sports Studies in 2024, Josiah quickly returned to UniSC, this time as a community and future students officer based at the Buranga Centre.  

The Buranga Centre is a place to meet, study and connect alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Elders, staff and community.

It’s also a place to find out about Indigenous study pathways as well as scholarships and bursaries to help with costs. 

Drawing on his own experience of being guided by the “older fellas” in the Sunshine Coast Goannas Indigenous soccer team, Josiah says students always respond better when they are talking to someone who’s “been there”. 

And he’s been there. Studying, working 30-hour weeks, renting, training three days a week, while also dealing with car troubles and other curveballs of life. 

Now these hurdles inform how he helps others. Eases worries. Guides people towards support. Reminds people that they belong at university too.  

He prefers the “mob mentality” approach of “having a yarn” and asking about someone’s day to build strong relationships with students.  

“Naturally you try and make people feel comfortable. If they feel comfortable, they are going to be more successful,” Josiah says. 

“If you relate to someone and say ‘I’ve been where you are’, they know what you are saying. You can say ‘it’s going to be all right’ and they know you mean it. 

“An important part of my culture is to give back and influence the next generation of students. They can go to uni and do what they want with their future.”  

He says it’s rare for someone to face university without challenges. 

“There are times you feel overwhelmed with everything. Not just uni life, but life in general.  

“It’s really easy to get tied up in the big picture. That’s when it can be so hard to lock in and do stuff. But the way to push through that is one step at a time.”