Celebrating graduate Mua Tavo: Building Community Through Business and Sport

Graduate Mua Tavo is combining a passion for disability support care and sports with real-world experience through RMIT’s Essendon Education Academy.

Graduating from RMIT with a Dual Diploma of Business and Diploma of Leadership and Management, Mua Tavo’s journey reflects the power of ambition, connection, and a desire to make a difference.

Through the RMIT Essendon Education Academy—a year-long program that immerses students in the sporting industry—Mua gained real-life experience, access to elite facilities, work placements, and insights from industry experts, preparing them to integrate their passions for disability support care and sports into a future defined by collaboration and impact.

Mua’s decision to pursue this dual diploma was rooted in his unique ambitions and learning style.

“I chose this course because it best described my learning style and my ambitions outside of school, which was to work within the industry of sport,” Mua explained.

Throughout his studies, supportive educators and a vibrant learning environment played a pivotal role in his success.

“If I had to choose between the range of teachers provided to the cohort, I would have to choose both Fida Chahda and Alex Iliopoulos,” Mua shared. “They have always had the best intentions with me and my studies.”

The sense of community within his cohort was equally impactful.

“The company I’ve had within my course experience has been a huge part of me loving the course,” Mua said.

“Everyone within the group helped encourage each other to become more than what we imagined—this is both for school and work life. Each person I’ve come across from RMIT and from Essendon has helped me become a better person and encouraged me to be more open and to help others do the same.”

Despite the supportive environment, challenges were inevitable. The most demanding subject, Business Operations, required perseverance and teamwork.

“I’ve received help from various people, both teachers and fellow students, but without the help and encouragement from my closest peers, like Isaac Dean, it would have been a challenging year,” Mua reflected.

Looking ahead, Mua is determined to combine his expertise in business with his passion for disability support care.

“My next move is to try bringing both of my interests—disability support care and sports—together and then help build the disability community,” Mua said.

“I’m also looking forward to further studying to better my understanding of how I can make that happen, and I hope RMIT and Essendon can help make that happen.”

For future students, Mua emphasizes the value of building strong connections.

The one piece of advice I will give is to build strong relationships with fellow students. They are doing the same thing as you for a reason—it’s because they want to be in the field as you. Build your connections and help build each other’s empire.

Beyond academics, Mua’s time at RMIT has been personally transformative.

“It has helped me become more open and to face things head-on, as there isn’t always someone there to help you,” Mua said. “They have also helped me explore other opportunities outside of university.”

“Stepping into the field of disability with the relevant knowledge I’ve consumed throughout this year gives me more reason to be excited,” Mua said.

“Being able to join my knowledge about business and still learn about the disability industry will help me eventually evolve my family business, TESA Individual Support Services. It will also help me build others’ businesses and encourage them to give generously with a good heart.”

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