Monday 07-07-2025 - 13:53

1. What motivated you to run for this role in the student union?

I am currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Project Management with the University of Cumbria. This course is fully online apart from three trips up the Lancaster Campus once a term. Therefore, when the role of Online Learner came up I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get more involved with the university and my peers virtually and in person and help bridge the gap that the online students have when fully connecting with the university.

2. What do you hope to achieve during your time in office? Are there any specific projects or issues you’re passionate about?

During my time in the role, I hope to create a more robust connection for the online students as they enter the university and all the way up till, they finish. I hope to achieve this by first listening to my peers, how they feel the university is currently doing at facilitating the inclusion of online students. The areas that are identified as lacking I will set up virtual forums and if possible, in person ones across the different sites that online students will have the opportunity to come to.

3. What do you think will be the biggest challenge in your role, and how are you preparing to tackle it?

I think the biggest challenge will be getting widescale engagement from all the online students. However, it will be my responsibility to work with the other officers and the universities communication team to roll out engaging invites and posters to all students.

4. How do you plan to engage with students and ensure their voices are heard?

There are multiple of ways to engage with students now including Microsoft forms which are efficient and user friendly and give great statistical feedback. Which I can use to collate feedback and take actions from the student’s voices. Off the back of this I can then set up forums inviting online students to have their voices heard on an online platform so they can speak out and communicate with each other, enabling them to learn and inspire.

5. What does being part of the student union mean to you personally?

Being part of the student union isn’t just a role, its being part of something bigger, a community of students, scholars and teachers. Allowing for everyone to have a safe space to come and talk about there problems and what they have achieved. A positive platform and community for the University of Cumbria. I am very proud to be able to support this community over the next year and keep moving forward together.

 

6. What did you study (or are currently studying), and how has that shaped your approach to student representation?

I am studying a degree in Project Management alongside my degree apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce. This has meant that I have been a student as well as full time employee. This mix has shown me how important it is to have student representation even in a workplace setting. The importance of setting boundaries with the employer and allowing enough time for study but also student life. I believe many online students are part time like me and I think my experience will resonate with themselves.

7. Have you had any previous leadership or volunteer experience before taking on this role?

Through my day-to-day job in project management I have had experience in leading and assisting others. I have also been a shift leader at my second job as a pizza chef, helping lead the team on busy shifts and taking responsibility for the kitchen.

8. What’s one lesson or skill from your studies or past experiences that you think will help you most in this role?

Through my studies I have learnt communication is always an important skill but there’s also lessons to be learnt. Day to day I must talk to many people rom different backgrounds, ages and genders. Learning how to communicate with people in a respectful and professional way is a great skill to have. Alongside this understanding that people are not always at there best is also important so making time to listen to them is a very important factor within communication.

 

9. What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

Since I was 15, I have worked in professional kitchens, first as pot wash and now a pizza chef in a busy pizzeria in the centre of Bristol. I have a passion for working in kitchens, even though it’s not the career I want to go into, it’s hobby/ skills I am not quite ready to give up on yet, I want to keep learning.

10. What’s your go-to way to unwind after a busy day?

One of my favourite ways to wind down is to cook, I know some people find it a chore but to me it’s a great way to just listen to some music make a nice fresh pasta dish and sit down and eat it whilst listening to some music.

11. Do you have a favourite spot on campus (or in the city/town) and why?

As I am an online student I don’t get to come to Lancaster much but as I am from Bolton I used to go to Lancaster a lot when I was younger and always remember going to Williamson Park with my family and watching the live plays that you’d follow around the park. The lake in Williamson Park is therefore my favourite spot to go and have some lunch when I go up.

12. If you could have dinner with any historical or public figure, who would it be and why?

I think I would have to have dinner with Jim Morrison, former head singer of the Doors who passed away very young, 27. I’ve always found is music very interesting and unique and I feel he would be a great person to have a dinner and a few drinks with and discuss what life was like in the 60s and 70s.

13. What’s a song, film, or book that inspires you or you always come back to?

My favourite song is Scenes from an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel from the album The Stranger. I am not sure why I find it so inspiring, but it was a song I would always listen to when I was 16 and would inspire me to go and do as much as I could in what time I have. I would recommend listening to it if you get the chance, its also Billy Joel favourite song of his own.

14. How would your friends describe you in three words?

Present

Helpful

Pragmatic

15. What's one goal—personal or professional—you’d like to achieve by the end of the academic year?

By the end of the academic year, I would like to achieve my PMQ, Project Management Qualification. Something very important for my progression in my professional career but will also help build on my personal skills. I will do this over my summer ready for the third year in my course.