Friday 04-03-2022 - 12:00

Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, former Undergraduate Education Officer at Bristol SU, joins us for an elections Q&A special! Hillary is currently Vice President of Higher Education at NUS. We asked Hillary all of the big questions, from why she stood for an elected position to how the role has helped her professionally. 

Why did you stand to be an elected SU representative?  

I stood to be an SU officer because I care about students, and making education a space that is inviting, liberated and fundamentally transforming for people. I had been a part-time officer before and wanted to do more for students at university and be a voice for them in spaces that SU officers could access. 

What impact did you have during your term? 

I kicked off university work on decolonising the curriculum, involved students in strike solidarity with UCU, got students involved in the General Election and voting, worked with WP societies to hold events and create policy change and challenged the university to do more on race. 

What did you enjoy most about being an elected SU representative? 

I enjoyed bringing students into spaces where they could shape change and directly build initiatives to improve their lives and the lives of those after them. My favourite part of the role was hosting the general election results night watch party in the Balloon Bar - it was so great! 

What was most challenging about being an elected SU representative? 

The treatment of officers, especially Black women, is particularly harsh. Being hyper scrutinised, and being expected to be resilient, strong and manage some of the toughest issues with ease was really challenging for me. 

What skills did you gain as an elected SU representative? 

Conflict management, negotiating, lobbying, campaigning, organising and comms were some of the big skills I learned as an officer. 

What advice would you give any prospective candidates? 

Go for it, but make sure you're doing it with the assurance that you will be supported to do the job. Being an officer isn't easy, but it is really fruitful when you do it with the support to really help the students you're representing. I would also say be yourself, and don't be afraid to frustrate or fall out with the university - you have to stay true to what you know is right, and do it the way you feel it can be done authentically. Sometimes change is better when it's done from the outside - it's doesn't always happen in committees! 

How did being an elected SU representative help you professionally?  

It's exposed me to a lot of experience in different aspects of the world - it's unique in that it hasn't led me to one career prospect in particular, but it has helped me to really consider myself doing more than I thought I could! 

Don't forget to vote for who you would like to see represent you!  

Voting is open between 8- 10 March. 

You can find out more information, including how to vote, here.