VP COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT

This role represents all student communities at Essex.

Charmaine Musafare

Inclusive | Amicable | Impactful

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  • This role is an opportunity for me to make a meaningful impact by connecting people, fostering relationships, empowering students and driving positive change to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive students community. Aside from that, l resonate deeply with the objectives related to community and engagement, and see this role as a perfect fit to contribute to those goals.

  • As a data-centric individual, l will bring my ability to utilize data to measure the effectiveness of community engagement efforts, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.

    l have strong communication skills that l developed through interacting with diverse groups of people when l was working as a community outreach volunteer and as a tutor. This is crucial for effectively engaging with community members, stakeholders, and team members.

    Another skill that l would bring to the role is the willingness to innovate and explore new approaches to community engagement, staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies, and adapting strategies to evolving community needs.

Diana Oommen

Unity in Diversity

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  • Culture, change, challenge, the three fundamentals I cherish. I aspire to be the change that uplifts and represents the communities by respectfully engaging with all cultures. Therefore, I aspire to be an instrument that stands as the pillar of representation for ALL. I would love to learn and lead my fellow officers to enhance each student’s time at the University of Essex a holistic and fulfilling experience. United under the umbrella Essex, I believe every community stands tall and through active and intelligent engagement among the communities, the experience of education can transform into an enjoyable and enlightening journey. It sounds challenging, but who doesn’t love a good challenge. So Come on Watsons! The Game is Afoot.

  • Presenting product “Dynamic Diana!”

    Diana comes with the skill set equipped with emotional intelligence, leadership, proficient communication, strategic management acquired during the time spent as the Southend Women’s Officer 2023-2024, Personality Development Coach and Associate Corporate Trainer for 16 months. Organisational skills, Team management, Time management, keen interest and empathic understanding of culture and history were integrated during the 15 years in the business in the field of Film and Theatre. Because of the vast and varied work experience the corporate and social workspaces, dealing with people from diverse walks of life is a known qualitative experience. These experiences and lessons from life makes Dynamic Diana an excellent and strong candidate for this position, for the natural talent of being an approachable, rational and empathic individual shall bring efficiency, respect and understanding for diverse perspective, active engagement and responsible community representation to the table.

Guilly Banari

Empowering | Inclusive | Communicative

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  • I am applying for the role of VP of Community and Engagement at Essex University because I am deeply passionate about creating an empowering and supportive environment for all students. My commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding across diverse cultures and communities drives me to ensure that every student feels valued, heard, and represented. With a strong belief in the power of teamwork and collaboration, I aim to work closely with Student Community Officers, the ISA Committee, and other relevant stakeholders to address the needs and concerns of our student body effectively. Additionally, my proficiency in social media and communication skills will enable me to keep our members informed and engaged with community activities and events. I see this role as a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the student experience at Essex University, ensuring it is enriching, inclusive, and empowering for every member of our community.

  • The wide-ranging skill set gained through my work at Red Bull makes me an ideal candidate for the VP of Community and Engagement position at Essex University. Skillfully use strategic communications for audience engagement, raise community and run advocacy campaign activities successfully. Social media knowledge is key in today’s digital world that helps me increase participation among the community and keeps the students informed about upcoming events and activities, providing an open platform for students to communicate and unite together.

    In addition, linked with Red Bull, I have enhanced my event planning and management skills which are very important for organizing community activities that consider cultures and interests of the diverse student body. The multicultural awareness and inclusivity I gained working for a multinational brand are rooted in the lesson of embracing more than one point of view. This finding keeps in mind that every international community at Essex University feels represented and supported.

    To recap, my diverse experiences have assisted in the enhancement of my communication and event management abilities as well as my attention to inclusivity and teamwork. These constantly evolving experiences are the building blocks for my aspiration to unite, involve, and communicate with each individual in our diverse student body, demonstrating my option for the role.

Hitesh Parihar

Collaboration | Compassion | Creativity

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  • I have been the part of this university for past 3 years. Throughout my time here, I have come to appreciate the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity among students from various cultural backgrounds Coming from India, I understand firsthand the value of embracing diversity and respecting different cultures. I am passionate about creating a supportive and welcoming environment where every student feels heard, valued, and empowered to participate in shaping their university experience. By serving in the Student Union's Community and Engagement role, I aim to actively engage with my peers, listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively to implement initiatives that promote unity, celebrate diversity, and enhance the overall well-being of our student community.I am committed to leveraging my interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and dedication to make a positive impact and contribute to the continued growth and success of our university community

  • I bring a diverse set of skills and experiences that I believe would be valuable in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

    Firstly, my extroverted nature allows me to easily connect with others, foster relationships, and engage with diverse groups of people. This skill is essential in building a strong sense of community and inclusivity within the student body.

    Secondly, my creativity enables me to approach challenges with fresh perspectives and develop innovative solutions. I am passionate about brainstorming new ideas and implementing initiatives that will enhance the student experience and promote a positive campus culture.

    Academically, my solid foundation in economics has equipped me with analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that are transferable to various aspects of student engagement and community development.

    Furthermore, my experience as the Treasurer of the Indian society in my second year demonstrates my ability to manage finances responsibly and collaborate effectively within a team.

    Additionally, my year-long placement as a Retail Manager has honed my leadership abilities, communication skills, and adaptability in a professional setting. I have successfully led teams, coordinated operations, and addressed challenges in a fast-paced environment, all of which are invaluable in fostering a sense of community and engagement among students.

Jamie Williams

Passionate | Proactive | Pink

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  • As an autistic student, I found myself being let down or forgotten by the higher-ups in the University and I didn't know what to do. Over the past year, through my involvement in societies, my view on this has remained the same however my attitude changed. I decided that I was not going to let them forget about neurodivergent students, and that I would be the person to take the leap and try to make a change. Throughout my involvement in the SU, I have begun making small changes by working with those in the SU leaders and other SU roles but still was finding that I couldn't have the influence I needed as a student. The success of the Neurodivergent Society, which I founded, inspired me to look into a role as an SU leader, I finally felt that I had the drive and, let's be honest, the stubbornness, to make a change for other neurodivergent students. Neurodivergent students deserve to enjoy their university experience as much as their neurotypical peers, hence my interest in the VP Community and Engagement role. I want to make SU events and venues not just accessible but enjoyable for neurodiverse and other disabled students. Safe spaces are important, but a bad safe space can be more harmful than no safe space. I intend on using my own experience as an autistic student and others' inputs to make Essex a neurodivergent safe space.

  • In February 2023, I founded the Neurodivergent Society, of which I am still the President. This has given me heaps of skills and experience which will help me as your VP Community and Engagement and is my main inspiration for applying to this role.

    I have a lot of experience with the SU from both being a student here for nearly four years now and from working with the SU from society's side of things. This has allowed me to notice where the gaps are in the SU and learn who can help with what. This means that going into the role, if I am elected, I already have knowledge and rapport with the important people and i know what needs to be done.

    I am an excellent speaker and I am extremely passionate meaning I will bring issues forward effectively and consistently. My experience with the society has honed these skills and developed them to fit the needs of the SU community. Even as a student I have attended meetings about accessibility on campus and introduced real change into the University. As your VP Community and Engagement, I plan to continue this and make the neurodivergent experience my number one priority.

    I have experience gathering feedback from students in the university and passing it along to people like the VP Welfare and board members. Most recently, I've assisted in the development and launch of neurodiversity-affirming practices in the new well-being and care hub on campus

Jessica Brown

Dedication | Integrity | Passion

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  • When I first joined the university in 2020, fresh out of finishing my A levels, I felt lost, and I thought that I wouldn't be able to find my place. It was once I started engaging with the SU, joining community events, getting really involved with the work that the officers, societies and communities provide here that I realised this university could be a place where everyone can find someone and something to find their home in. I want to be involved in keeping that spirit alive. I want to be a part of working towards a place where every student on campus can know somewhere or someone who can help them find their community, and get the most out of their student experience. I also want to make sure that the Student Community Officers, the Student Representatives, and any student with a passion is supported in bringing their voice and their community into the light, and so that everyone, no matter their circumstances can find somewhere that feels like they can breathe easy and relax, but also find their spaces for passion, discussion, and making the changes that they want and need to see. While no system is perfect, including the SU, I want to be involved in making change, allowing students and staff to speak truth to power, and making this an SU that everyone is proud to be a part of, like I know that I am.

  • Through my time at university, I've been involved with events by multiple communities I'm a part of, such as the LGBTQ+ community events, trans community events, and hidden disabilities events just to name a few. I've seen both the impact these events have on attendees, as I've met my now closest friends in the world through these events, but by joining the executive team of a community orientated society as the Accessibility Officer, joining the SU Council as the LGBTQ+ Representative, as well as through lsitening to, supporting and helping Student Community Officers, I've been privy to both the behind the scenes mechanics of these events as well as their impact. Additionally, I've held multiple voluntary roles outside of the university, especially with refugee communities and with young children, that have provided me with reliability, empathy, and communication skills that I are best developed through experience, compassion and dedication. I'm very comfortable with teamwork, as demonstrated by my positions on executive and multiple voluntary teams I work on, however I've also been the person who steps up when I notice a need. I'm very good at spotting needs before they become problems, and I've got the experience in communication, creativity, leadership and problem solving that has repeatedly prevented problems before they could truly become issues.

MD Ahadul Islam Hridoy

Inclusive | Inspire | Empower

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  • I want to emphasize my commitment to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diverse perspectives within the student community.

    I am conveying my aim to inspire students to actively participate, contribute ideas, and take pride in their community.

    Signifying my goal to empower students to make a positive impact, fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership within the community.

  • As VP of Community and Engagement, effective communication is paramount. I possess strong verbal and written communication skills, enabling me to convey ideas, listen actively to student concerns, and facilitate open dialogue within the community.

    I bring a high level of empathy and cultural competence, understanding the diverse backgrounds and perspectives within our student body. This allows me to create an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates our differences.

    With a proven track record of leadership roles in student organisations, I have developed the ability to lead and collaborate with diverse teams. I believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration to achieve common goals.

Muhammad Abdur Rafeh

Visionary | Inclusive | Empathetic

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  • I am applying for the role of VP Community and Engagement because I am deeply passionate about promoting a sense of belonging within our university community. Through my experiences and interactions, I have witnessed the power of a connected and supportive community in enhancing the overall student experience. I am eager to utilize my communication skills and enthusiasm to create initiatives that strengthen community ties, amplify diverse voices, and ensure every student feels heard and valued. This role aligns perfectly with my commitment to building a vibrant and inclusive campus environment, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the positive growth of our university community.

  • In my pursuit of the VP Community and Engagement role, I bring diverse skills and experiences that uniquely position me to contribute significantly to our university community. With a background in communication, diplomacy and leadership roles, I have sharpened my ability to connect with diverse audiences and facilitate meaningful dialogue. Moreover, I possess a keen understanding of the various needs within our community, gained through my active participation in clubs and volunteering. My commitment to inclusivity and advocacy for underrepresented voices aligns seamlessly with the goals of this position, and I am eager to utilize these skills to enhance the overall student experience, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen our community bonds.

Suhaib Mohammed

Empathic | Compassionate | Committed

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  • I aspire to be a student leader because I am passionate about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. I believe in the power of collaboration and effective communication to foster a sense of community among students. I am eager to take on responsibilities, lead by example, and help shape a campus culture that promotes learning, empathy and mutual support.

  • I bring a diverse set of skills and experiences for the role of a student leader. Through my involvement in various extracurricular activities and volunteer work in India, I have honed my leadership abilities, including effective communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills.

    In addition to my leadership capabilities, I possess organizational skills that will aid in coordinating events and initiatives. I am adept at working collaboratively with others, fostering a sense of teamwork and understanding their diverse needs. Moreover, my commitment to continuous learning and personal development enables me to adapt to new challenges and stay open to innovative solutions.

    Before arriving here for my MBA,I was working in India for the past 4 years with a team of 50 people and managing them has greatly shaped my inter-personal communication skills as well as the skill to create a environment of oneness.This background has cultivated my empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives, essential qualities for fostering inclusivity within the student body.

    My other strengths lies in my adaptability and problem-solving skills. As a student leader, I understand the importance of thinking on my feet, addressing unexpected challenges, and finding innovative solutions. My experiences have taught me to remain calm under pressure and approach difficulties with a positive mindset, essential qualities for effective leadership.

    Overall, my combination of leadership skills, interpersonal abilities, and a passion for creating a positive impact positions me well to contribute to the vibrant and supportive community that defines our student body.

Tiara Framel Sepulchre

Enthusiastic | Reliable | Empowering

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  • I aspire to uplift and empower all our different communities within our Student Union by embracing what makes us unique, while also uniting our differences, which I envision to achieve through collaborative events and teamwork. I want to be part of the reason students at Essex have an enriching, exciting and wholesome university experience.

  • Bringing the Filipino Society back to life as the president (2023-2024) meant having to acknowledge that, in order to build a strong and happy community, it is essential to take your time to really listen, try to understand and empathise with people. With this foundation in mind, I have managed to achieve: successful cultural society collaborations; fun and creative events; and meaningful connections. I believe my experiences as FilSoc president can be applied towards the role of VP Community and Engagement where I can help enrich students' university experiences on a wider, bigger scale.

    Additionally, with my experience as a Breaking Barriers Student Lead and a Frontrunner, I have refined my communication and organisational skills which I believe are essential in upkeeping smooth-running committees. I have been involved in various different sides and angles - academic, vocational and extracurricular - which shape our university, and it's with these opportunities that have allowed me to interact with different communities and departments, where I developed the confidence to freely contribute my own thoughts and actions. I want to utilise these experiences in representing the voice of all student communities.

    Finally, as a woman of colour in education, I personally understand how important it is to maintain a welcoming, inclusive and diverse community which ensures that all students feel heard and supported. Therefore, with all my energy, experiences and skills I am determined to help make it all happen!

WHO’S R.O.N?

Every position within the election also has a candidate listed as re-open nominations, or R.O.N. for short.

This role is a way for you to declare that you don't feel any of the candidates would be fit for the role and you instead feel applications should be re-opened at a later date to allow new candidates to come forward.