College Union Passion
While this Bulletin issue is focused on what’s new in college unions, working on a college campus our jobs can sometimes feel like they are on a rinse-and-repeat cycle. Budgets are approved in July, we hold student staff training in August, welcome students to campus in September, do all possible to engage students in the fall semester, help students plan hundreds of programs and events during the spring semester with most taking place at the same time in April, navigate often contentious student government elections in May right before celebrating graduation and the end of the academic year. And then in June we are preparing our budgets, getting ready to repeat the cycle.
Reflecting on my own career in higher education with such an annual cycle, it made me think about what drives our work in college unions. It’s a question I posed to colleagues from Ireland and the United Kingdom when I was visiting this past May and thought it would be refreshing to share their responses with you.
I am massively passionate about seeing how students can develop during their time at university. I think all students should have that opportunity, to develop themselves by getting involved and doing what they love.
—Balraj Dhingra, University College London Students’ Union
Seeing students advocate for positive change that will support both today’s and future students makes what I do worthwhile and proud to be part of this sector.
—Uzma Arif-Fryer, Greenwich Students’ Union
Ensuring we can amplify the voice of marginalized students and create inclusive spaces for them on campus.
—Dan Doyle, Queen Margaret University Students’ Union
I’m passionate about creating a safe space, being non-judgmental, understanding the effect one simple interaction can have on a student.
—Maria Maguire, Dundalk Institute of Technology Students’ Union
I’m excited by the ‘change’ opportunity for students between pre-arrival and graduation. We call it ‘exit velocity.’
—Paul Chapman, Liverpool John Moores University Students’ Union
Seeing people joined in community, across diverse communities, brings me joy. We get to see students transformed in front of our eyes. They will never be the same because of us. In the end, students’ unions can change the world. Why would you want to work anywhere else?
—Ed Moloney, University of Salford Students’ Union
I’m proud of the work that we do to keep students studying. Especially those who have had to jump many hurdles already to just get through the front door.
—Stef Hartley, University of Central Lancashire Students’ Union
I love university campuses, they are special places, filled with possibilities, ideas, and enthusiasm. Working on my campus gives me an opportunity to impact the place that I live, now and in the future. I also get to learn from amazing young people every day.
—Neil Mackenzie, Leeds Beckett Students’ Union
The ability to inspire our students to do amazing things. Seeing the journey our students take and the ‘real’ impact of being involved and engaged in a Union can be truly life changing for many. They have experiences which can change the course of their career for good!
—Katherine Cooper, University of Sunderland Students’ Union
The incredible things that our students achieve inspires me every day. The way we can change what we do because students tell us something is important is fab. Students’ unions are special places, and the power we have should never
—Lydia Blundell, Huddersfield Students’ Union
be underestimated.
University campuses are places of innovation and problem-solving over societies hardest challenges, and I’m passionate about the space in the middle of those campuses where student leaders can express themselves and stretch ideas and celebrate diversity and do dialogue in ways that the rest of the university can’t!
—Aidan Grills, Leeds University Union
Engagement with students and staff from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures allows us to learn something new every day. Knowing we are taking future generations out of poverty and empowering working-class students to succeed brings job satisfaction.
—Aleem Bashir, University of Bradford Union of Students
No two days are the same, which I love. I’m particularly passionate about making a difference to students who have odds stacked against them. For many, the students’ union is their only cheerleader, supporting them to succeed.
—Rhiannon Roberts, The Union at Manchester Metropolitan University
The magic moment when you say to a student leader ‘Go on. Do it. You can do it!’ And they do it!
—Gareth Hughes, Durham Students’ Union
I’m passionate about the role of students’ unions to empower young people, expand horizons and aspirations, and stretch their and others influence.
—Ben Vulliamy, University of York Students’ Union
I love all the comments that were shared, and what’s clear is that people enter and enjoy working in college unions because of the difference that they can make in the lives of students. Seeing college union professionals express passion for their work with students is neither new nor surprising, but it is reassuring. There may be cyclical things that occur on the surface in higher education, but as noted by another colleague, “no two days are ever the same and that’s the beauty of a student union.”
There is no better feeling than going to work every day and loving what you do, and, to me, that’s one of the special things about working in a college union. Our passion comes from working with students, supporting and seeing their success. We have the opportunity to grow and develop students who will become the leaders of the future, and often we are awed by their talents as we watch them flourish. In the turbulent world in which we live our role to advance campus community has never been more important, and despite challenges that may exist, it continues to be rewarding because of the opportunity to interact with and make a difference in the lives of students.
