Rate My Professor Emma Holt

Emma Holt is the Learning Support Manager at Disability Information and Support (DIS) at the University of Otago. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Diploma in Tourism (DipTour), and Master of Commerce (MCom), all earned from the University of Otago. With nearly 20 years of experience as a Student Adviser in the DIS office, Holt has supported students facing a range of study challenges related to disabilities, impairments, injuries, or medical conditions. Seconded full-time to her managerial position for 2025, she leads the Learning Support team to deliver first-class academic support that promotes student wellbeing and enhances their university experience. Her role involves overseeing services such as personalized advice, advocacy, tailored learning arrangements, and coordination of specialist support including note-takers, tutors, and exam accommodations.

The DIS operates within the Academic section of the Division of Student Services, partnering with students to ensure equitable access to tertiary education and providing accessible parking on the Dunedin campus. Holt contributed to research on student support through her co-authorship of the paper 'Issues affecting post-graduate students with disabilities at the University of Otago, New Zealand,' presented with Donna-Rose McKay at the Pathways V conference in Canberra, December 5–8, 2000. Stemming from a 1999 Advisory Group involving university staff and students, the study collected quantitative and qualitative data from 53 post-graduate participants via interviews and questionnaires. Findings emphasized the vital need for supportive supervisors (35% reported inadequacy), the prevalence of part-time study (53%) due to fatigue, medication side effects, stress, anxiety, environmental barriers, financial constraints, and assessment difficulties. Challenges included program inaccessibility, lack of timely information, isolation, and limited departmental resources. Recommendations encompassed improved information via websites, handbooks, and brochures; environmental audits; supervisor awareness training; enhanced library and IT accessibility; and further research on assessment adaptations. Holt's longstanding involvement, documented in DIS newsletters and team listings from 2012 onward, underscores her commitment to advancing disability support at the institution.