About Us

At The Advice Service, we understand that being a student can be tough, and we are here to help. We offer free and non-judgmental advice to all UHI students on a range of issues so that you can make the most of your student experience.

We want you to know that you can talk to us about anything, and we will listen with empathy and understanding. If there is anything we can't help you with, we will connect you with someone who can. Our goal is to take the time to explore your options and discuss your next steps, so you can make informed decisions.

We work across all Academic Partners in UHI and our advisors can help with issues such as...

Academic Misconduct
Disciplinary Hearings
Fitness to Practice Matters
Professional Practice Advisory Panel
Mitigating Circumstances
Academic Appeals
Complaints
University Halls Disciplinary Procedures
Housing, including private and social tenancies

We will do our best to assist you with any other difficulties you might experience. If we can't help, we're sure to know someone who can.

Who We Are

Elena Arroyo – Advice Service Manager & Caseworker (Remote)

Pronouns: she/they

Elena has been in her role for three years and is the sole case worker for the HISA Advice Service, providing comprehensive support to all UHI students. Her dedicated efforts ensure a seamless and supportive experience for students seeking guidance and assistance.

Formerly the Student Engagement Coordinator at Forth Valley Students Association, Elena oversaw volunteers, led accreditation initiatives, and contributed to governance reforms. She collaborated with student officers to develop and implement their campaigns.

Elena holds an LLB in Scots Law from Stirling University, an HND in Legal Services from City of Glasgow College, and a Psychology degree from the University of Glasgow. She is the first college representative elected twice consecutively to NUS Vice President Communities Scotland. She is currently studying part-time with UHI Perth to attain an HNC in Counselling.

Elena is a passionate activist who advocates for immigration reform, intersectionality, and human rights, and believes education is a fundamental human right. She empowers individuals to defend this right actively.

She enjoys time with her Jack Russell Terrier, Fidel, and her cat, Squirrel. Elena is a true crime enthusiast and a fan of Strongman/woman competitions, with a soft spot for Scotland’s own Tom ‘The Albatross’ Stoltman.

Our Training & Credentials

Our Advice Service team regularly completes professional development to ensure we provide the best support to students. Some of our recent training includes:

Mental Health First Aid (Scotland)
Two Roads Suicide Prevention Skills Training
Shelter Scotland - Housing Law Advice Casework accreditation (Level 7 SQA)
Gender-Based Violence First Responder with UHI
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Awareness
Safeguarding & Child Protection
SPSO - Complaints Handling & Mediation Skills