VP STUDENT EXPERIENCE

This role oversees Sports, Societies, Volunteering and Rebel Media.

Aghareed Alodhaibi

Friendly | Fun | Sociable

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  • I feel that I can bring a lot to this role and I believe I am great fit as a student experience, I am a sociable and fun person, through out my experience as a student in university of Essex, I had so much fun and support and I want the same experience for other students. It will be my responsibility to make sure the students are having the support and fun they deserve in university of essex

  • Before applying for my masters degree I had the chance to work in a very diverse and friendly environments which helped me in improving my communication skills with anyone from managing a big team to make sure everyone is well coordinated with each other, which I believe is one of the most important skills to have when it come to applying for this role. Not only this but, I believe that managing your time is as crucial as communicating, which I emphasize on enhancing that skill. I believe all these skills are essential for such role.

Bahar Aurangazeb

Committed | Passionate | Reflexive

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  • I want to be committed to Everyone learns at different paces, and I believe that good students are the ones that put in the effort required to gain the results that they want. And The most important part of studying is enjoying what you do, particularly in studies post-school. I believe that you get the most out of education when you take time to think about what you are learning, why you are learning it, how it impacts and applies to you now & in the future, and how your life would have been different if you knew this in the past.

  • I want, students will naturally place different weight on each element depending on what they want from their learning journey. The teaching and learning they will experience, along with goal setting and progression, assessment and feedback etc. The extra-curricular facilities available to them during their time as a student that will nurture cultural, political, sporting, and artistic interests and peers. The funding, accommodation, health facilities, counselling, pastoral care etc. that each student has access too.

    I want the above to be with all SU members.

George Gelbart

Communication | Transparency | Competence

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  • Having worked as society executive for 2 years, as well as several collaborations with the SU, I feel that I have the knowledge and commitment to be a great student representative for this university. I believe that I have a good feel for what people would like from their SU as well as potential areas where it can be improved.

    I firmly believe that communication is key, and I want to help create an SU for Essex that strives for transparency in its communication with its students. My main goal, and the reason for my application, is to create an SU where the values of Transparency and communication are core to its identity.

    Having been a student for 4 years on this campus. I feel i owe a great deal of gratitude and support towards it. I am therefore, very passionate about making it even better. As the Vice President of Student experience, I can help contribute to making this happen.

  • Prior to being a student, I was a business administrator/customer service representative for 2 years working in London. It required a keen eye for detail, and has contributed to greatly improving my skills in communication. It was my first experience in problem solving and dealing with customer complaints. These skills will be put to good use if I am to become your Vice President of Student Experience.

    I would also bring extensive knowledge of how to coordinate and manage events for the SU, and I believe that I can make these events a success. I have been an executive on two successful societies (Politics and Music) with the latter winning the award for "event of the year" in 2023. It has taught me a great deal of experience in events management, coordination, and social media marketing for those events.

    My priority in every aspect of my role as a society executive was always to listen to constructive criticism and strive to act on it to the best of my ability. In my opinion, a student leader that fails to listen to the views of its students, has failed in their role. To run a successful SU, the voice of the students is paramount, and I will strive to use my experience to create an SU that works in the interest for all students.

Ian lau

Ambitious | Creative | Compassionate

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  • The reason I want to be student Vice President of Student Experience is because throughout my past 3 years of being in this university, as someone who is very active on campus activities, sports as well as social activities, I have always noticed numerous ways the university can improve in, whether it is big or small I want to take the initiative to bring current existing or new students a better experience in this beautiful university.

    Especially as an international student, I've always noticed certain societies or people of certain countries often lack the opportunities or the incentive to become more active and engaging with the university communities as a whole, therefore, I believe it is vital to develop more and better student activities and opportunities to create a better community as well as student experience, not just for internationals but for all students, wether it is night life or day time activities, I believe they both need improvements.

    Additionally, I've learnt and gained so much from being part of this university, through out my experience as a student, I've met my best of friends, had unforgettable experience that I would still look back to in the next decades to come. I would love the opportunity to give back to this community and for everyone to have unforgettable memories just as I had. I also think its important to give back not just to the student community but to fundraise for those that are in need.

  • Through out my 3 years of experience and studies in university of Essex I’ve engaged with lots of students and have been very active in the community, through that I’ve developed a great understanding of student’s wants and needs across different communities and societies. In the past years I’ve gained a lot of experience and skills from managing large scale events as well as working with different organisations that are very people and experience oriented, I believe the same skills and principles I’ve learnt can be applied as well to being a student leader.

    I’ve also taken part in different sporting societies and i aim to help develop and encourage more sporting events as well as other extra curricular activities to help support and improve societies in the university by working closely with them to help them make their visions come true as best as possible.

    I believe as VP working amongst other leaders, having great communication skills are of vital importance especially when working as a team and being able to communicate with students to become a more student oriented leader and grasp a good understanding of what students, societies or the university truly needs to make an impactful improvement or change to enhance student experiences.

Jared Bennett

Transparency | Inclusion | Fun

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  • Seeing Liv, Kobbie and Joar over my time at Essex I’ve always been interested in VP and think now I’m ready to put myself forward. I want to bring more opportunities for other groups to experience the SU like us sports clubs have and help find that enjoyment a lot of us have felt hasn’t been the same as it used to be.

  • Working in the SU venues, talking with Hannah and Joar through Lacrosse and organising events within my club, I think I’ve had a unique stepping stone to leading research with students on what they want to see from the SU and bring that to fruition. I’d love to try new things and really focus on creativity this coming year.

Julian Filizanowski

Open-minded | Transparent | Diligent

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  • My goal is to make all university campuses into hubs thriving with activity, which will provide every individual ( YOU ) with ample opportunities to:

    - meet other like-minded students

    - join events YOU will enjoy, from on-campus activities to volunteering

    - participate in various competitive contests around UK

    - be accessible to every single student

    - and plainly, have fun alongside studying, whether its by partying, joining societies or meeting new people

    This is the vision I have for OUR university, and I will strive to make it a reality.

  • I was a student leader at college for 2 years. Reading piles of reports, listening to important people for hours and responding to loads of emails, I've been there, done that. Now that I have a chance, I want to use this experience to make OUR university a better place for all of us.

    The three words best used to describe me are "open-minded", "transparent" and "diligent". As a student leader I will strive to use all of these qualities, and more, to ensure every student enjoys their stay at university no matter how short or long it is.

    There's many skills that come in handy for a role like VP Student Experience. I could write for ages about my interpersonal or problem-solving skills.

    But the most impressive skill is success. I've already shown success in the role of a student leader once, at my college, which became a better place in the 2 years that I've been there.

    Let me demonstrate it again, here.

Michael Pepple

Driven | Honest | Transparent

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  • I’m applying for this role because of my passions for sports and the wellbeing of students both mentally and physically, I believe new students that move to our university should be given enabling and safe environments in order to enhance there performances generally, by providing extracurricular activities that would capture their minds early in their university to prevent the negative impact the social university life can have on an individual

  • I believe I have got some skills that can be added to the leadership team such as, my ability to communicate and bring people together for a common goal, the ability to work under pressure as I have worked for the media team of the past presidential election back in Nigeria and I adapted despite it being me first time ever on screen.

Shahbaz Khan

Engaging | Empathetic | Proactive

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  • In seeking the role of Student Leader in the SU, my application is driven by a genuine passion for enhancing the student experience. I believe in the transformative power of a positive and inclusive campus environment. Through my previous involvements in student organisations, community service, and collaborative projects, I've witnessed the profound impact that effective student leadership can have on shaping a vibrant academic community.

    My motivation stems from a deep commitment to addressing the diverse needs and concerns of my peers. I aspire to be a vocal advocate for student interests, ensuring that every voice is not only heard but also considered in decision-making processes. The prospect of contributing to a campus culture that values diversity, fosters inclusion, and prioritises student well-being resonates strongly with my personal values.

    Furthermore, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my leadership, communication, and organisational skills in a role where I can actively contribute to planning and executing initiatives that enrich the overall student journey. Whether through organising events, facilitating open dialogues, or collaborating with university administration, I am eager to play a pivotal role in creating a positive and engaging campus atmosphere.

    In essence, my application is fuelled by a sincere desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of my fellow students. I am committed to working tirelessly to create a dynamic and supportive community within the SU, where students feel heard, valued, and empowered to thrive during their academic journey.

  • As an enthusiastic candidate for the role of Student Union Vice President of Student Experience, I offer a robust set of skills and experiences dedicated to enriching the college journey for my peers. In terms of leadership, I have demonstrated my ability to inspire and guide others through my active involvement in student organisations. Serving as a leader within these groups, I honed my decision-making skills and provided direction for initiatives aimed at improving campus life.

    A core aspect of my approach is empathy, driven by a profound understanding of the diverse needs and concerns of our student community. I am committed to addressing these concerns with sensitivity and fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard. Recognising the multifaceted challenges that students may encounter, I bring strong problem-solving skills to the table. I have a proven track record of identifying issues, devising creative solutions, and collaborating with others to overcome obstacles.

    Organisational proficiency is a key strength that I bring to the role, as demonstrated by my experience in planning and executing events and programs. I understand the importance of creating a vibrant campus environment through engaging activities that contribute positively to the student experience.

    I believe in the power of collaboration to create a supportive and cohesive campus community. Drawing from my experiences in community service, internships, and collaborative projects, I am confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to the role, fostering a dynamic and fulfilling student experience for all.

Vanios Spanias

Kindness | Respect | Passion

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  • Throughout my first 2 years at the University, I felt isolated and melancholy due to the pandemic. It is my opinion that no other student should suffer such loneliness. Discovering the relief and kindness within our societies, sports clubs and their members, helped me to break free from my anxieties and be the person I am today. I want to aid and assist other students going through the same experience to find their place in this university, to enrich their experience and forge long lasting friendships like the ones i have been lucky to have. I want to make every single student feel welcomed, safe and at home during their years here and if voted I will do my best to represent and voices every single student.

  • As a dedicated member of our university community for the past four years, I bring a depth of experience and understanding to the table. My active involvement in two societies, serving in roles from welfare to treasurer, has equipped me with essential skills in communication, organization, and problem-solving.

    I am deeply passionate about fostering inclusivity and support for all students, driven by my own journey overcoming feelings of isolation during the pandemic. My commitment to amplifying student voices and ensuring everyone feels welcomed and valued, guides my approach to leadership.

    With a strong foundation in the inner workings of our campus community and a genuine love for our sports clubs and societies, I am eager to utilize my skills and experiences to make a meaningful difference if entrusted with this role.

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.