In an era of unprecedented challenges to the higher education sector, partnership has never been more important. Massification of higher education has substantially increased student diversity, and therefore educational emancipation. Widening participation includes, but is not limited to, students from low socio-economic backgrounds, first-in-family, international students and those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. Universities must therefore strategically and creatively meet the challenge of supporting diverse students to succeed in an environment of funding cuts and casualisation of the workforce, placing unparalleled pressures on teaching and professional staff. This presentation will explore how engaging in partnership with students can serve as a powerful means through which to empower and support student and graduate success. The goals of this presentation are to provide practical recommendations on how university leaders and staff can develop authentic partnership with their diverse student body, based on the large-scale implementation of The University of Queensland Student-Staff Partnership Project initiative. The presentation will unpack the cultural transformation that has occurred at the University, which has seen over 800 students engaging in partnership activities since May 2018, and how this has developed a mutually accountable community of students and staff. Key takeaways are a published Good Practice Guide, Framework and implementation recommendations.