Messiah is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the higher education sector, focusing on enhancing student retention, outcomes, finance, engagement, and overall student experience. With a background spanning across four diverse higher education institutions, Messiah's career has been dedicated to championing the success of all students, particularly underrepresented groups.
Currently serving as the Head of Student Finance at UH, Messiah plays a pivotal role in the university's APP steering group, driving initiatives to enhance student financial support and overall success. In previous roles, he led efforts at King's College London to address attainment gaps and spearheaded initiatives at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and University of East London to support care-experienced and estranged students.
Notably, Messiah has been instrumental in developing comprehensive support programs for care-experienced and estranged students, showcasing his commitment to inclusive student support and advocacy. His leadership as the chair of the AccessHE Care Experienced and Estranged Students Forum further demonstrates his dedication to amplifying the student voice and advancing access, support, and success for care leavers in higher education. Passionate about fostering a more inclusive and supportive higher education environment, Messiah is a driving force behind initiatives aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes for vulnerable student groups such as: Care Leavers and Estranged Students.