The Locals Community is run by a small team made up of the Manager, Deputy Manager, and the volunteer Leaders. The student volunteer leaders are the heart and soul of Locals.
Locals is a student-centered service – everything we do is driven by the volunteer leaders, and suggestions and feedback from our first-year students
Head of Locals
Maya Pitcon (she/her)
Kia ora. I'm Maya and I am the Head of Locals. As the Head, I oversee all aspects of Locals. I started off in the Locals Programme as a first-year student in 2013. As well as being a first year in the programme I have done every role in Locals so have a unique understanding of all aspects of Locals. I think I may have the best job ever; every day is different, and I get to spend my time getting to know our local students helping them navigate their first year at university and learning the best way to support them. I work beside the volunteer leaders to organise and run all of our fun locals events, and with the wider university community to organise academic support. I am passionate about ensuring that our first-year locals are supported and have the best experience possible at Otago.
I graduated in 2016 with an Honours degree in Anthropology (with a focus on Biological Anthropology and the ethics of introducing new technologies) after finishing my undergrad in Anthropology and Archaeology in 2015. I am proud to have been born and live in amazing Dunedin! As a past local student myself I understand some of the challenges you may face in your first year and am here to help you through them. I'm looking forward to meeting all of the new locals students and can't wait to get stuck into the amazing year we at Locals have planned for you!
I love meeting locals students and talking to staff about how they can support the locals community and locals students, so please email or call me if you ever want to talk or need support.
Email maya.pitcon@otago.ac.nz
Mob +64 21 949 653
Volunteer Leaders
The Locals volunteer leaders were all Locals students in their first-year. These students sign up to help other students through their first year at Otago.
The leaders come up with ideas for events and then, help organise and run them, working with the Locals Leadership team. They provide feedback on all aspects of Locals and help to make sure we are incorporating student voice into everything we do.
You will find the leaders in Locals HQ where they help to make the room and safe, warm and welcoming environment for every Locals student.