Election post
As someone who is Black, Muslim and from a low-income background, I know firsthand what it is like to struggle with navigating higher education. From financial barriers to feeling out of place in elite spaces, I’ve experienced the systemic inequalities that hold talented students back. However, I can appreciate the experiences that being on widening participation programmes gave me; nonetheless, I know that this is not everyone's experience.
Through being an avid public speaker and someone who is passionate about social mobility, I believe I have the necessary skills to best represent YOU!
If elected, I hope to carry out the following things:
- Building community for low-income students: whether that be through events or collaborating with the Access team, I want to ensure we have a community we can rely on here at university
- Push for more financial support: I will campaign for increased funding to provide financial support to low-income students, be that in the form of grants, scholarships or subsidised costs
-
Career opportunities: highlight opportunities exclusive to people from low-income backgrounds; this would be done in collaboration with other societies and the Student Union
I am someone who has lived these challenges - I know what it is like to struggle financially at university, what it is like to feel disconnected from affluent peers, and constantly pushing to feel like I belong in such an elite space. However, I also know how powerful our voices can be and I want to use my experiences having been on scrutiny boards, panels and publicly speaking on the impact of social mobility to represent you in the best way possible.
If elected, I will use my position to ensure no student is left behind.
Vote Aya for Social Class and Mobility Officer now