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What course are you studying?
BSc (Hons) Events Management
What stage of your course are you currently studying?
Stage 2
What motivated you to run for a Sabbatical Officer role and why do you think you would be a good Sabbatical Officer?
I came to Plymouth from a small town in Somerset where community is a vital part of people’s lives. I want to take this sense of community and distribute it to students, staff, and visitors, to make the Uni a community. I believe that I am suitable for the role of President as I have experience in community projects, as well as being the Events Assistant at the SU, Events Assistant with the University’s Events Team, and charity work as the Vice President & Events Coordinator at Plymouth RAG.
Why is the Sabbatical Officer role important?
Sabbatical officers are a vital piece to the smooth running of the SU and the University. The President, especially, has many important roles; leading the sabbs team, representing students, and implementing strategies for success. Being President, strong leadership is vital. Having a strong leader drives organisation’s visions and encourages the organisation to reach their goals, and I feel my experience, academically and practically, has taught me how to effectively lead a team to success.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Determined, outgoing and enthusiastic
If you could change one thing about the University, what would that be?
As President, I would endeavour to advance the under-promoted and sporadic Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme. This scheme allows students to develop their academic knowledge outside of the classroom in a group led by a student volunteer with a talent and devotion to their specific subject. Not only would developing the scheme benefit students academically, but also socially, as having regular contact time with familiar faces builds communities, leading to a more social and academic University.
If you could change one thing about the Students' Union, what would it be?
Having volunteered as Vice President & Events Coordinator at Plymouth RAG this year, I know first hand the difficulty in the promotion of student groups. If elected, I would dedicate a large proportion of my time to the promotion of student groups alongside the elected VP Activities. I would strive to introduce ‘Student Group Week’, a week long promotion for student groups on campus, similar to the Freshers’ events, and would offer support for fundraising events to enhance student groups.
Who do you draw most inspiration from and why?
I draw the most inspiration for my work from my Grandad. A very community spirited person, he currently serves on charity tourism boards, as a chairman of a sheltered housing association, has previously lobbied to save local facilities in my town from closure, such as the swimming pool, and was a director of the Somerset Tourism Association. Growing up with my Grandad’s work being community based has led me to follow in his footsteps, which has influenced my candidacy as President.
What is your proudest moment so far and why?
I am most proud of the work that I have been able to do with Plymouth Raise and Give. As Vice President & Events Coordinator, I feel proud in the knowledge that every event that I produce helps to change people’s lives across the world. Talking to our chosen charities has given me an insight into the amazing work that happens with our money that we raise, and has only encouraged me to produce more events, with this being the main reason for my introduction of Plymouth RAG Week this March.