BCUSU Elections Hub

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Previous Officers

Key dates

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Lead Your Students' Union

Want to make a positive impact on 30,000+ students?

We have 5 paid leadership roles available for students:

BCUSU President
Vice President Community
Vice President Education
Vice President Student Voice
Vice President Welfare

Read the job descriptions before nominating yourself!

Officer job descriptions

This is no ordinary job application:

1. Nominate yourself

2. Create a manifesto based on changes you would like to see at BCU

3. Attend candidate training on how to effectively campaign

4. Campaign for votes in BCUSU's Officer Elections

Not sure which role you'd go for? Take the quiz below to get an idea!

Which role suits me?

Key Dates

Monday 2nd December (10am)

Nominations open

Saturday 8th February (12pm)

Nominations close

Wednesday 19th February (10am)

Voting Opens! (Online and in person)

Wednesday 26th February (12pm)

Voting Closes!

Thursday 27th February (7pm)

Results Night. Find out who has been elected to lead your Students’ Union.

Previous Officers

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Jo Goodman

President 2016/17 & VP Student Voice 2015/16

“Underpinning every role I have held has been a desire to advocate on behalf of others and ensure everyone has an opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of background. BCUSU was a catalyst for this desire and I am so thankful for the opportunities at the Students’ Union.”

- Regional Delivery Lead at Education Endowment Foundation, managing school partnerships in West Mids to improve quality of teaching from early years to post 16 education

- Used experience in University Executive Group and BCU’s Board of Governors for career in education

- Worked as Senior Partnership Officer at Uni of Wolverhampton, increasing progression to higher education for underrepresented groups.

Gishan Abeyratne

Representation & Campaigns Officer 2009/10

“Your role as an officer is multifaceted – you’re a director, a trustee, an advocate, the list goes on!"

“In your day to day you will have to wear many different hats and focus your time and energy accordingly. This is so relatable to life after the union and something I am still learning but I was first exposed to and nurtured through while in position as an Officer.”

- Associate Director at Think Legal Recruitment

Jenny Watkins

President 2015/16, Vice President 2014/15

“My time as an Officer was a life-changing experience which I will always carry with me. The level of self-development and transferable skills acquired are second to none”

- Lecturer in Law at University of Worcester

- Professional development was key in securing a training contract with Law firm and qualifying as a Solicitor.

- Experience helps as a lecturer to provide the best possible support and experience.

Amir Iqbal

Vice President Opportunities & Community 2020/21

“For me, it proved to be a life changing opportunity; my Officer experience has opened the door to many career paths and helped me build the essential skillset for a career in leadership.

“If you want to see anything changed at university then go for it, it is your chance to sit in important committees, run campaigns and make those changes. If you win or not it doesn’t matter, in the end you’ll be proud of yourself for taking part in the elections and putting in the hard work. Campaigning alone teaches you a lot about yourself, boosts your self-confidence and improves your communication skills.”

Stephen Harrison-Mirfield

President 1995/96

“My year as President was the most incredible foundation on which I have built my career. At 23, being in charge of an organisation looking after the needs of thousands of students and dealing with the leaders of the University was something that so few people experience.

“The role is what you make of it, those with the passion, energy and commitment will get ten times more out of the experience than they expect – it is still one of the most incredible years of my life, and I don’t think I have done too bad for myself since.”

- CEO of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain (RSCI Bahrain)

- Had 20+ year career in HR, 6 years with KPMG working in Saudi Arabia

- On BCUSU's Board of Trustees

Lauren Hoyle

Student Development Officer 2015/16, LGBT+ Student Officer

“The experiences you get developing your own campaigns, sitting in University Board meetings and development of communication skills certainly gave me the upper hand in securing my job now. The role gave me a lot of confidence in my own abilities was one of the most fun years of my life.”

- Operations Executive at The Prince’s Trust