Meet the Team

Caroline Biggs

Student Community Experience Programme Manager

As a double Warwick alumna (I did my MChem and PhD here!) I’ve seen first hand the fantastic work the University has done to evolve its approach towards student experience. There is now such a focus on providing opportunities to build your feeling of belonging to the Warwick community, as, quite righty, your overall student journey is just as important as your academic one.

I only joined the Student Experience team in September and am still a little bit in awe of the amazing work that the team does. They have so much creativity, passion and commitment to making Warwick a fantastic place to find friends, learn about other cultures whilst celebrating your own, experience new things and generally have an unforgettable time, whether you are here for 1 year or 4 (or in my case 18 years and counting...) Every day is different and the “why” behind what we do is so powerful, we just want to make the Warwick experience the best it can be for every single student.

My favourite memory of working for this team is…
I love a "purple hoody day” when we put on our Warwick Presents uniforms and escape the office and out onto campus. Whether it’s massive cultural celebration or a little pop-up event trying to gather opinions and feedback for projects it’s such a delight to see the results of all our planning and so invigorating to get out and meet you- our student community! As a student recently said at our Grow Your Own succulent planting event, “I didn’t know I needed this today, but it turns out that I really did, it’s improved my whole day!” so why not take a chance, attend one of our events and you never know what new connections you’ll make, or if taking the time to explore something new will just brighten your day.

Gemma Marakas

Student Community Experience Programme Manager

Students expect so much more from their University journey than the academic outcome they achieve – they want to build memories and experience, meet new people and try new things. Our team has the honour of planning and delivering that additional experience, not only helping students belong at Warwick, but opening their eyes to wider opportunities and connecting them to our diverse community. Although I love working our events and seeing the fun and happiness which our activities can create, I get the most pleasure working with the committed and creative members of the Student Experience team. They have endless energy and ideas, problem solving and technical skills, as well as just being a little bit bonkers sometimes – a totally inspiring work environment.

My favourite memory of working for this team is…

I’ve only been in the team since June 2024, so feel like I still have a lot to learn and experience within the role, however a highlight for me was Lunar New Year as it was a project I saw through all the planning and delivery on the day. The team put so much work into the project and making it run smoothly on the day, but the part the stood out to me the most wasn’t the amazing Lion Dance or hundreds of students that turned up for food and activities, but the constant stream of students from all backgrounds who rocked-up to the Wishing Tree in the pouring rain to tie their wishes around a Tangerine and throw it into a very wet tree (time after time hoping for success)… priceless!

Claire Caine

Welcome and Induction Manager

I started working on the Welcome project here at Warwick back in 2016 before Welcome Week was even a thing! If I stop to take stock now, I can definitely say that the shape and breadth of the work we now get involved in, as a team, has grown enormously since then, but still has the same goal at its core – to enhance the student experience, which is always so exciting. I’m so lucky to work with such a fabulous team of people who make work fun! Every day is different!

My Favourite memory of working for this team is… 

Having worked in the team for a number of years now, I honestly have many favourite memories – too many to count. For instance, I look back on every single Welcome Week with a huge sense of achievement and pride knowing that we’ve worked so hard to welcome thousands of new students and helped them to settle into their new life at Warwick. The joy of watching people make connections with others over these first few days, then by chance seeing them later on in term still with these same people, new friends, laughing and having fun is absolutely wonderful and the reason I truly love my job!

Becca Randle

Student Community Experience Officer

I enjoy working in the Student Community Experience Team because every day is about creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect, feel a sense of belonging, and shape their own university experience. Whether it’s through student-led events, focus groups, or creative engagement projects, I get to work alongside students to co-create initiatives that truly reflect their needs and interests.

One of the best parts of my role is seeing the impact of these initiatives—watching students find and build their communities, grow in confidence, and make the most of their time at Warwick. I enjoy bringing together different groups, working with student societies, and collaborating across the university to make sure everyone has access to inclusive and inspiring experiences.

It’s inspiring to work in a role that’s constantly evolving, where I can support students in shaping the spaces and activities that matter to them. Seeing students take ownership of events, share ideas, and build lasting connections makes this work incredibly rewarding.

My favourite memory of working for this team is… 

The Global Light Procession. It was incredible to see students from so many different cultures come together to create something so vibrant and meaningful. From the early stages of co-creating lanterns and props with student societies to the final moment of the procession lighting up campus, the whole project was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community.

Jenny John

Welcome and Induction
Co-ordinator

I feel very blessed to work with a team who take the business of having fun so very seriously! We get to work on such a wide variety of projects, learn about different cultures, work directly with students to run events they’re passionate about and come up with crazy ideas for fun things to do. It honestly doesn’t feel like a grown-up job most of the time, which I thank my lucky stars for.

My favourite memory of working for this team is…

It has to be speaking to a student who’d won a prize taking part in Take 24, our 24 Hour Filmmaking Competition during Term 2 a couple of years ago. They’d been struggling to make friends in Term 1, but we’d grouped them together with other students to take part in the event and they felt like they’d finally found people they really clicked with – and their new tribe had been busy making plans to meet up ever since. They felt like now they’d finally made some real friends, their university experience was just beginning. Is someone chopping onions..?

Natalie Russo

Digital and Events Co-ordinator

Working in the Student Community Experience team at the University of Warwick is genuinely rewarding. I have the privilege of supporting students beyond the classroom (ahem, ex-teacher here,)—helping to create inclusive, engaging experiences that make university life vibrant and meaningful. Whether it's planning community events, supporting student-led initiatives, or fostering a sense of belonging across campus, I find real purpose in helping students feel connected, empowered, and valued. Every day brings something new, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that the work we do contributes to student wellbeing, development, and a stronger campus community. Extra-curricular experience is just so valuable... and I even get to play too (sometimes!)

My favourite memory of working for this team is…

Ooh, it's a toss up between Lunar New Year and the Global Light Procession. Lunar New Year, which was a massive event to coordinate, was lovely to be a part of and I had so many wonderful conversations with students that day across all the different activities. Equally, the Global Light Procession was a fantastic night with all those coloured lanterns waving and rounding it off with a rendition of "Raining Man" on the Piazza. There was so much joy and laughter... I can't wait to do it again later this year.

Jongwon Lee

Internationalisation Administrator

I have the privilege of consulting, organising, and planning vibrant cultural celebrations on campus. My mission is to ensure that students from diverse cultural backgrounds feel included and experience a sense of belonging. What I love most about my role is witnessing the magic that happens when students connect with one another during our events.

My favourite memory of working for this team is…

I cherish moments when minority group students see their cultures showcased and feel a deep sense of pride and excitement. It meant to them to see their traditions honoured on such a grand scale. Their smiles and heartfelt “Thank you!”s were a powerful reminder of the importance of representation.

Louise Cullen

Welcome and Induction Assistant

The reason I joined the Student Community Experience Team (I joined in Jan 2025) is to work more directly with students and to make a positive impact on their time at the University of Warwick. It is a pleasure and joy to help deliver our events; to see students, staff, friends and family come together with shared experiences, smiling faces and all the talent our university has to offer.

My favourite memory of working for this team is…

Lunar New Year has been the biggest event I have been involved so far and what a day it was – so many activities, games, crafts and a buffet for 600 people - working with teams and societies across the university. A joyous event for all involved, culminating in the Lion Dance spectacle – what a way to start my time with the SCE team.

Navya Sheth & Manasa Bhimanapalli

Student Community Experience Reps

We first experienced the magic of Warwick Presents when we stepped onto campus during Welcome Week. With a plethora of activities to get involved in, our transition to Warwick from an entirely different continent felt seamless, and before long, it became our home away from home. Now, from the other side of it, as Warwick Presents Student Reps, we’re thrilled to work behind the scenes, adding a student voice element and paying that experience forward.

You’ll spot us around campus in our signature purple hoodies—don’t hesitate to say hi or ask us any questions! Help us make Warwick, YOUR Warwick!

Will Thomas

Head of Student Community Experience

I’m lucky to be part of a fantastic team that works with so many different people – staff and students from every department – for the benefit of students, in really positive ways.

I was an undergraduate here (a long time ago) and the student experience at Warwick has changed so much, for the better, since then. I’m so proud to have been a part of that change.

My favourite memory of working for this team is…

If I had to choose one thing, it would be the Global Light Procession in November 2024. Moments like that, when you can precisely see the pay-off of months of the team’s hard work mateiralising in real, tangible celebrations of our community are always incredible.