President (Student Life)

Hi! I’m Halle, an MA Games Design student hoping to be your next President for Student Life! I’m currently in my 4th year at this university, having completed my undergraduate degree here too - and it’s safe to say that the university certainly means a lot to me! Coming to CCCU has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life, and has made me a much more of a confident, positive person than I was when I first started all that time ago. I’m running for President of Student Life because of just how much the university has done to shape me as a person, to uplift me when pushing forward felt difficult, and to give me a community of people that I will know for a long time going forward. I’m hoping to make that university experience more accessible and visible for those coming into university - as I know just how hard it is to take that initial step forward when you first get here.

My priorities for my term, if I were to be elected, would be to get more people into our Sports Clubs and Societies - with the hopes to remove as many barriers as possible that people may face when looking to sign up to one. As someone who only got into societies in my postgraduate degree I absolutely regret not having done so sooner as they’re incredibly vital to both our university community and to the individuals currently involved in them. However, I certainly know that the financial burden of partaking in societies can be a hugely limiting factor when considering joining. I aim to do as much as possible to spearhead funds and support for those who find themselves reluctant to join purely to the financial barrier. Having a community is a vital part of the social side of university; especially now I know just how much it can benefit someone’s mental and physical wellbeing. My term as President of Student life would primarily revolve around improving student access, supporting mental health initiatives, and making all the events across the university far more visible to students; which sadly frequently fall under the radar despite how beneficial they might be. While the academic side of university is hugely important (and the reason we’re all here), my career going forward has been hugely boosted and improved by the opportunities I’ve had access to here, such as the Careers and Enterprise Fund, and a chance to take a break with the Give It A Go programme at the Union. This encouragement that I have received, and the support from both lecturers and my peers have created a wonderful community around me, a space to be active without judgement of ability and the opportunity to become my best self at University. I can say for certain that my student experience has been elevated massively since I joined.

I have plenty of experience with leadership, delegacy, and business: all things I think matter when running for election. My experiences both curricular and extracurricular have allowed me to hone my skills in teamwork, pitching, and interpersonal development, taking me across the UK to meet professionals in my industry. I’ve also had the pleasure of engaging with international communities as a delegate: be that businesses, exhibitions, or other universities. Closer to home, I’ve also worked extensively around the university itself. Be it Arts and Culture, the Student Green Office, the Students Union, careers fairs or open days; I’ve almost done it all. Throughout my degree I’ve been Student Representative for the School of Creative Arts and Industries, a class rep, and a presence on campus much more than I probably should have been. These opportunities have allowed me to have a broad worldview of how to improve engagement, morale, and communication amongst vast groups of people. With all of this university experience combined, and knowledge of all the different systems within it, I am certain I’d be able to create a more collaborative environment between departments that would uplift the student experience far more than at present. I hope I get the opportunity to be your President of Student Life, and that we as a community can work together to make University life better for all students in the years to come.