Dr Benson is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Design and e-Learning at Monash University, Australia. She has an extensive background in adult education, distance education and the use of educational technologies in higher education. She has initiated the design and development of many ‘workbooks’ to support academic professional development workshops on aspects of teaching, and to act as standalone resources for staff. Recent workbooks have included an orientation to educational design and e-learning, and covered specific issues relating to online communication and online assessment. Margaret Heagney is a student equity consultant and Adjunct Research Fellow in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. Her current research interests are retention of students from diverse backgrounds, equitable selection systems and equity for postgraduate students. Lesley Hewitt is a former social work lecturer at Monash University and is currently working in disability. Glenda Crosling is Professor and Senior Academic Advisor at Sunway University in Malaysia, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), Monash University, Australia. Currently, Glenda’s research interests are transnational higher education, innovation and creative thinking. Anita Devos is an Adjunct Research Fellow, and former Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Monash University. Anita’s research interests include issues of gender, identity and learning in contemporary society, and doctoral education. She currently works as a consultant to organisations on equity and diversity issues.

• AcknowledgementsPrefaceAbout the authorsChapter 1: Setting the contextAbstract:IntroductionInternational trends supporting widening participation in higher educationTheoretical perspectives underpinning social inclusionOpportunities and challengesStrategies for improving access and retentionHow students from diverse backgrounds succeed in higher education: an overviewUsing participatory research and the student’s voice to inform decision-makingAn introduction to the casesSummaryChapter 1: discussion topicsChapter 2: Finding the way to higher education: Miranda and RochelleAbstract:IntroductionMiranda’s storyEducational experiencesManaging studyManagingSupportReflections and future plansRochelle’s storyEducational experiencesManaging studySupportReflections and future plansImplications for managing and supporting student diversity: transition to higher education and the first year experienceSummaryChapter 2: discussion topicsChapter 3: This time it’s different: Sesh and ShannonAbstract:IntroductionSesh’s storyShannon’s storyImplications for managing and supporting student diversity: student retentionSummaryChapter 3: discussion topicsChapter 4: The international experience: Lam and ZelinAbstract:IntroductionLam’s storyZelin’s storyImplications for managing and supporting student diversity: international studentsSummaryChapter 4: discussion topicsChapter 5: Coming to education later in life: Alex Carole and VirginiaAbstract:IntroductionAlex Carole’s storyVirginia’s storyImplications for managing and supporting student diversity: mature age studentsSummaryChapter 5: discussion topicsChapter 6: Finding my voice at last: Lillian, Marie, and HarrietAbstract:IntroductionLillian’s storyMarie’s storyHarriet’s storyImplications for managing and supporting student diversity: encouraging transformative learningSummaryChapter 6: discussion topicsChapter 7: Helping students to succeedAbstract:IntroductionHow the students from diverse backgrounds succeeded in higher educationOverall implications of the cases for managing and supporting student diversitySummaryChapter 7: discussion topicsReferencesIndex