Grace College,UQ wins 54th NAAUC National Pitch

Grace College, within the University of Queensland, are the 2024 winners of NAAUC’s Annual competition: “The Pitch”. The Pitch asks delegates to identify a leading issue within their residence, and present a tangible solution toward addressing such. Held on the final day of the National Conference, this activity aims to bring together everything delegates have learnt and engaged with throughout the week, and walk away with a specific set of actions that will empower their community to make positive change. 

The issue that Grace College identified was the lack of engagement in college life by international students at their residence. 40% of Grace’s student body are international students, and further figures show that 40% of Grace’s student body are not engaged with college life. While these figures are not mutually inclusive, the Grace delegates explained that the overlap is significant. Through analysing their culture as a team and discussing the gaps in their inclusivity, Grace College pitched an international advisory board to provide advice and guidance for Student Club activities and events. 

With an International Student Convenor for 2025 already appointed, the Grace delegates imagined that this committee would work within this role’s portfolio. They emphasised the importance of preserving individual culture, and that the Student Leadership Team should ensure events and activities work to celebrate diversity rather than encourage assimilation into Australian culture. 

With a clear purpose, set metrics, a realistic timeline, and specific action items, Grace College’s 2024 Pitch was named the winner of the Queensland State Finals, and then went on to present and win on the national stage. The Grace delegates stressed the importance of making their home a safe and engaging place for international students, where everyone is comfortable to be themselves.

We look forward to seeing this in action in 2025. Congratulations, Grace College!