Parkes, S., Cousins, H. and Blackwell-Young, J. (2013) 1 To reference this article: Parkes, S., Cousins, H. and Blackwell-Young, J. (2013) ‘Senior Academic Support Tutors: Fostering student engagement through supporting academic development’ in Clark, R., Andrews, J., Thomas, L.(eds.) and Aggarwal, R (eds.), Compendium of effective practice in higher education: Volume. York: Higher Education Academy [online]. Available from: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/retention/Compendium_2_rc_ja_Final.pdf , Senior Academic Support Tutors: Fostering student engagement through supporting academic development. Sarah Parkes*, Helen Cousins, Julie Blackwell-Young, Newman University Birmingham. sarah.parkes@newman.ac.uk Tutor for Transition Newman University Birmingham Genners Lane Bartley Green Birmingham, B32 3NT Keywords  Academic Support;  Innovation;  Partnership-working;  Boundary Spanning Nature of Intervention A scheme to maximise the potential of students through combining academic advising and professional support within single, joint and combined honours degree programmes at Newman University. Focus of Intervention The Senior Academic Support Tutor (SAST) scheme operates as a bridge between students, academic processes, colleagues and professional support services. SAST are academic members of staff who combine elements of both professional support and academic advisory roles to enhance the higher education experiences of students.