President (Student Life)

My name is Mercy Badmus, I am excited to be running for President (Student Life) at Canterbury Christ Church University. I am applying for this role because I genuinely care about student wellbeing and the overall student experience. University is more than just lectures and assignments, it’s about feeling supported, connected, and balanced. I want to help create an environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and personally. I am passionate about ensuring students have a healthy balance between their studies, wellbeing, and social life. Whether that means promoting mental health awareness, improving access to support services, organising engaging social events, or simply making sure students feel heard, I want to be someone who represents voice and makes real change happen. Being at university should also be enjoyable, empowering, and fulfilling. If elected, I will work hard to create opportunities for connection, inclusivity, and support so that every student feels valued and part of a strong community.

If elected as President (Student Life), my main priority will be creating a university experience where students feel supported, balanced, and connected. Mental health and wellbeing should never be an afterthought. I would prioritise promoting accessible wellbeing services, raising awareness of support available, and working to reduce stigma around asking for help. Every student should feel safe and supported during their time at university. University life can be overwhelming. I want to advocate for a healthier balance between academic responsibilities and personal life by encouraging open communication between students and staff, promoting realistic workload discussions, and support that help students manage stress effectively. A big part of student life is feeling like you belong. I would prioritise creating inclusive social events, supporting societies, and ensuring that commuter students, international students, and mature students all feel equally included in campus life. Students deserve to be heard. I would actively listen to feedback, create open forums for discussion, and ensure that student concerns are communicated clearly and consistently to the university leadership. I may not have all the answers yet, but I am committed to listening, learning, and working with students to build a positive, inclusive, and balanced university experience for everyone.

I believe a great Student Leader is someone who listens, represents fairly, and takes action, and those are qualities I genuinely bring. I am a strong communicator who values open and honest conversations. I am approachable, empathetic, and always willing to listen to different perspectives. Students deserve someone who will represent them authentically and ensure their voices are heard. I am also organised and responsible. Balancing university life requires time management, commitment, and resilience , I have developed these skills throughout my academic journey. I understand the pressures students face because I experience them too, and that helps me represent students in a realistic and relatable way. Most importantly, I am passionate about student wellbeing. I care deeply about creating a supportive and inclusive environment where students can succeed academically while also maintaining good mental health and an active social life. My motivation comes from wanting to make a genuine difference, not just hold a title.