Student Trustees

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Hi there, I'm a second year Philosophy student and I’m running to be Student Trustee. I've been a member of various societies and clubs during my time here; from Social Secretary of my halls to Executive member of our RAG committee I've found out what it's really like to get the full experience that Reading University has to offer. I want to become your Student Trustee as my extensive committee and charity experience has led up to this role and I will work to deliver the best results that will directly enhance your experience!

As a student trustee, I intend to act impartially and carefully consider the facts before any action is taken. Moreover, I hope to work with the elected union officers to help ensure that their mandates are carried out, so that all students may benefit.

I’ve found that communication and regular feedback have been the keys to all successful committees that I have partaken in. I plan to bring this key element of success to my role as RUSU’s student trustee. I’ll be working to make feedback, communication and general engagement in the direction of RUSU easily accessible and far more effective through greater promotion of our ChangeIt feature, hosting student forums in the union and creating surveys to gauge students’ opinions on real issues that affect us all. Your voice is important and your feedback is needed, if you want to have a say in the direction of RUSU you should be able to do so!

• Oversee the current library situation whilst working towards realistic and effective solutions that benefit us all.
• Have your say with open lines of communication with constant availability, termly student surveys and student forums.
• Ensure the fair distribution of Reading's resources amongst all the clubs and societies.

I am studying English Language and going into my 3rd year of study.

I live right down south in a place called Felpham, about a 5-minute walk from the beach. I’ve always loved spending my time there and really miss it when I am in Reading.

I love the campus based structure at Reading and think it is a buzzing and fun place to be at my age.

What do I like most about the Students’ Union?

It’s a really good night out and brings people from all friendship groups together.

What will help you in this role?

I am very approachable and love a chin wag with anyone and everyone!

What do you want to get out of the role?

I want to become more involved and understand what happens behind the big coloured walls of the Union! Have a look at my manifesto to find out a little more about why I stood for election to become a Student Trustee and what motivated me to stand for the role.

Do you have any other roles in the Students’ Union, the Uni or beyond?

I don’t have any other representative roles but I have done some work experience in the RUSU Marketing Department which I really enjoyed!

I have two jobs, I work in a Farm Shop and for an Events Management Company focusing on weddings which is one of my passions! In the long run, I am hoping to go into marketing with some relation to weddings.

• I have done a 15,000ft skydive in New Zealand
• I HATE ketchup
• I played in the road to Wimbledon tennis competition (but didn't get far enough)

I am nominating myself for the position of Student Trustee to ensure that as students we are getting the most benefit out of the work RUSU do as we possibly can. Having the chance to put my voice forwards and make a difference in my time at University is something I have always wanted to do and would be honoured to have the opportunity!

As a person, I am confident, approachable and hard working. I have good social and people skills which I think will benefit me greatly in this position as I will be able to put forward the voice of students who might not always feel confident enough to do it themselves.

I have always worked since a young age alongside my studies and enjoy setting myself goals and aims to achieve as enjoy a challenge and having something to work towards! I am also the Treasurer of a student run club which involves tracking and monitoring money and funds for events such as an annual conference, seasonal parties and balls, as well as the club on a week to week basis.

I have always wanted to work with a charity and have never fully applied myself to the idea as haven't been sure to how to, which is why I think I will really be able to apply myself to this role.

I want the people who might not normally feel comfortable being heard to be heard.

I want to challenge myself to achieve new goals and aims.

I want to make a positive difference and impact to RUSU via this role.

I am a 3rd year English Literature student and am entering my second term as a Student Trustee.

I grew up in a military family and moved around a lot as a child so I don't come from anywhere in particular. But I spent the majority of my childhood in the highlands of Scotland.

I came to Reading University after spending a year at Durham University studying Business and Management, I did not enjoy the course or the people in it so it was refreshing to come to Reading and experience the community and friendly atmosphere within my department.

Do you have any other roles in the Students’ Union, the Uni or beyond?

This is my second term as a Student Trustee but I have also held other roles within the Students’ Union.

I have previously worked within RUSU as the President of the Wantage Hall JCR, where we won both President of the Year and Event of the year; and as the Entertainment Editor of the Spark Newspaper.

I have also been elected to the role of RUSU Undergraduate Mature Students’ Part-time Officer, a role I will be stepping into at the start of this year.

What experience will you bring to the role?

I bring a lot of experience to the role of Student Trustee, simply because my experience of the university has been so varied.

Not only have I joined several societies (Horse Riding, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Netball, Disney etc.), I am an undergraduate mature student who has experienced studying both part time and full time; and I have a disability so I have a lot of knowledge about the services at the university and where they need to improve.

I also have experience sitting on Trustee Board last year as well committees and leading teams with my previous experience in the Wantage Hall's JCR.

What would you like to achieve as a member of the Trustee Board?

By the end of my third year, I would really love to see more communication between the students and the trustees, I think a lot of our work goes unnoticed and students often don't even know we exist.

I would like to see an easier way for students to access minutes from our meetings and I would like to help the Trustee Board recognise the different groups we have represented at Reading and make sure that no one voice goes unheard.

What do you like about the Students’ Union?

Something that I really love about RUSU is the fact that they take so much care and consideration when it comes to students. If there is an issue within the university, RUSU is quick to help. Whether that be with their advice services, helping sports teams, or setting up other society.

Any plans beyond graduation?

I have no idea what I would like to do when I leave Reading! I have spent the past two years working within the film industry as a runner and production assistant on films like Ready Player One, Dunkirk and Bohemian Rhapsody so I would love to take a short course in Assistant Directing at the National Film and Television School, but before I even think about that, I need to get my third year out the way!

Coming soon.

I was born in South Africa, but at the age of 3 I moved to England, where I lived until I was 11. At this age my Dad got a job in Saudi Arabia so my family relocated to there for two years, then moved back to England where I finished school.

I liked Reading University because it was both very green and open but not in the middle of nowhere. I am going into my final year of studying International Development (BSc).

What experience do you bring to the role?

During my second year I was Course Rep. This means I can communicate with a range of different people in a team. In my degree we have learnt about the impact a charity can have, but also the potential pitfalls, and how best to avoid them or rectify the problem, so I know what to watch out for.

What you like most about the Students’ Union?

How easy it is to contact anyone within the Students’ Union.

What do you want to achieve in the role or get out of the role?

As cheesy as it sounds, I want to have a positive impact on RUSU.

What do you want to do when you graduate?

To be very honest, I am not sure at all - I think I’d like to go into policy and governance but who knows!

• My mother tongue is Afrikaans – it is what I speak at home.
• My favourite night out in town is MNQ, where I’ve never had a bad night.
• My 3 favourite books currently are ‘Disobedience’ by Naomi Alderman, ‘The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet’ by Becky Chambers; and ‘Dead Aid’ by Dambisa Moyo.