About the Author
Here to help you enrol at Avondale
Oliver Sililo’s recipe for a top day at work is simple: enjoying a cuppa and getting things done to make your experience at Avondale a good one. As manager of Student Administration Services, Oliver and the members of his team process applications from domestic and international students, applications for advanced standing and requests for intermission. They also respond to enquiries, mostly by live chat and phone, to help students make the best choices about their courses. So, if you or someone you know is planning to study this year, Oliver is here to help. We asked him seven questions. Here are the answers he gave.
What’s the most frequently asked question you and your team receive from students?
With the introduction of the Don’t Just Do Uni. Do Unexpected offer, the most frequently asked question we receive is, “Can I get free accommodation in 2023?”. You can still make the priority list for this offer, but you must register. A lot of students also ask, “How do I enrol in my first units?”.
You and your team must hear many stories about why students choose Avondale. What’s one of the most memorable?
A mature-age applicant booked to sit the free uniTEST because, as a new Christian, he wanted to become a minister and enrol in our ministry and theology course. But he told us he felt super stressed, thinking he wouldn’t pass. So, one of our team members, Shellee, called, listened to his incredible story and reminded him of all the pathways into higher education. Then she prayed with him. He sat the test and got a provisional offer. Shellee called to share the good news. His response: ecstatic. “No way!” he kept saying.
You’ve worked previously in tertiary student administration. What’s different about your role at Avondale?
My role as Head of Student Onboarding at my previous workplace saw me managing the front end of student administration, including admissions, advanced standing and orientation. My role at Avondale has a broader scope, with our team helping students from their first enquiry right through to their graduation.
Name your top professional and personal achievement.
My top professional achievement: developing a strong first semester experience for new students during COVID-19 lockdowns. My team and I created guides for students and ran online orientations that included sessions with school and library staff members. My top personal achievement: playing field hockey at state level in South Africa when I was younger. My current personal achievement is being a dad to two beautiful children: Lola, who’s just celebrated her second birthday, and Levi, who’ll celebrate his first next month.
What are you reading?
Lead Like It Matters: 7 Leadership Principles for a Church That Lasts by Craig Groeschel.
Who’s one of your heroes?
I admire former football player and manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Manchester United won 13 English Premier League titles under his leadership. I also admire Bishop TD Jakes. His books and sermons have encouraged and inspired me in my walk with God.
Encourage our students with a piece of advice or a life motto.
A Bible verse that has become a life motto is Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (NLT).
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