Course of Study: Chemical engineering
Why are you interested in becoming our next Student Trustee?
I wholeheartedly believe in the power of representation and the need for all student voices to be heard and taken into account when shaping our university’s future.
As a female student in STEM, I have, unfortunately, experienced firsthand the innate tendency to disregard the opinions and thoughts of people considered to be a minority.
As the only female student in my high-school Higher Level Physics class, I was frequently shunned by my teacher and classmates, and my opinions not regarded as important enough to take precedence in class discussions. I had to persist to make my voice heard, and was eventually able to gain the respect of my peers by communicating effectively and through willing collaboration.
Although I will readily admit that we are now being ushered into a new age, with an increase in the number of female STEM students, old habits and prejudices still die hard.
I firmly believe that student trustees are critical in making sure that the student voice is represented at the highest levels of university governance. I am extremely passionate about advocating for a more inclusive and unbiased campus environment, where all students are able to feel valued, empowered and heard within their respective study fields.
As a Student Trustee I will strive to represent student needs and help to create a student orientated perspective:
- Through advocating for and supporting policies that pave the way for improved student health and the prioritisation of student mental health.
- By fostering a sense of unity within our university community
- While simultaneously, promoting the diversification of opinions and ideas.
In short, I aspire to make a tangible contribution to the wellbeing of my fellow students. I will use my skills, and my passion, to help mould the future of our university as a member of the Student Trustee Board.
What, in your opinion are the three most important qualities of a good Student Trustee, and could you provide details on how you possess these qualities.
In my opinion, I believe that the three most important qualities a Student Trustee must possess are:
- Effective Communication: I firmly believe that a Student Trustee must be able to effectively present and articulate the needs and concerns of the student population clearly and persuasively. This necessitates the need for excellent listening skills, the ability to understand diverse opinions and perspectives, and the ability to convey complex ideas in a succinct and understandable manner. I know that I possess the aforementioned skill set. I have strong communication skills, gained and honed through my involvement in various student organizations and academic projects, including the student governing body at my last institution. I have experience facilitating and meditating discussions, leading group projects, and presenting to large audiences.
- Leadership and Initiative: A Student Trustee must, in essence, be a proactive and visionary leader with the garnered ability to inspire, motivate and guide others towards a common and shared objective. Hence, a Student Trustee must be able to take initiative, think critically, make informed decisions and power through unforeseen and, perhaps even, unprecedented events. My involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership roles has equipped me with much the necessary leadership skills. I have accumulated experience in organizing events, managing teams, and taking on challenging projects. Additionally, my time spent as a part of my previous institutions student governing body has enforced my confidence in my ability to inspire and motivate others to work towards achieving common goals.
- Empathy and Advocacy: Principally, a Student Trustee must possess or, more accurately, develop the ability to understand and empathize with the multitude of diverse experiences and needs of the student population. Additionally, they must be driven in their advocating for the betterment of the quality of students’ life and the need for promoting students’ rights and interests. My personal experiences as a student have hammered home the significance empathy and understanding. Having witnessed firsthand trials and challenges faced by students, almost daily, I have cultivated a deep passion for promoting policies that support their success while, simultaneously, easing stress.
What skills and experiences can you bring to this role?
As a passionate advocate for the wellbeing and all encompassing health of the student population, I am confident in my ability to meaningfully contribute to this role. Throughout the entirety of my academic and professional journey, I have developed and strengthened a strong foundation of critical thinking, communication, time management, problem solving and leadership skills.
Moreover my teaching experiences, volunteer work, research projects, internships, all critical aspects of being an IB student, have handed me the necessary practical skills and knowledge to truly excel in this position. I have a proven track record of successfully completing projects, leading teams and overcoming challenges, which are outlined in my CV.
I find myself especially captivated by this role due to my deep-rooted belief in the aim of ultimately improving the quality of life for the university student body. I am passionate about dedicating and devoting the necessary effort into the role and becoming a role model in the hopes of encouraging the highest standards of probity, integrity, honesty and responsibility.
I am a dedicated, hardworking and positive individual who is committed to making the right and necessary impacts and changes. I believe that my individualised and personalised skills and experiences, combined with my passion for change and improvement, makes me an ideal candidate for this role.
In what ways do you believe you can actively contribute to the discussions and decision-making processes during board meetings?
As an ardent advocate for students, I strongly strive to meaningfully contribute to the discussions and decision-making processes during board meetings. In my heart, there resides a fervent desire to help create and mould a thriving, inclusive and healthy learning environment for all students. As such, I strongly adhere to the fact that my individualised perspective and experiences can offer valuable insights to the board.
I am motivated by a desire to ensure that the voice of the student body is not only heard, but actually listened to and taken into sincere consideration, at the highest levels of university governance. I am dedicated to listening attentively to the concerns, worries and aspirations of my fellow students, and to the promotion of policies aimed at addressing their needs and support their well-being.
My personal experiences as a student have helped me acquire a rich understanding of the challenges, trials and, also opportunities, that are presented to many students. I possess a keen eye for recognising and flagging areas where improvements can be made, and I am eager to propose new and innovative solutions that specially catered to benefit the entire student body.
Furthermore, my ability to think critically and under pressure, analyse information, and communicate effectively and efficiently will allow me to contribute meaningfully to the decision-making process. I am confident in my ability to articulate complex opinions and ideas in a clear, concise and persuasive manner, and to engage in constructive dialogue with my fellow board members.
To conclude, I am eager to contribute my passion, dedication, and unique perspective to the Student Trustee Board. I have confidence that my ability to accurately represent the student voice and collaborate effectively will ensure that I am a valuable asset to the board. I am devoted to working tirelessly to create a more inclusive, equitable, safe and supportive learning environment for all students.