School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies Society (SSEES): President

Hi! I'm Riley and I'm running to be your next SSEES President! 

Before studying Czech at UCL, I led two of my school's societies; through hard work, dedication, and working with industry professionals and dignitaries, I turned these two societies into some of the most popular and active on campus. This taught me not just how to organise insightful and memorable events, but it also taught me how to listen, work with others, and turn your ideas for SSEES into action.

To help understand what SSEES needs, I joined the Student Partnership Committee to hear from you: it was super insightful and interesting to listen to and discuss your wishes and concerns with regards to SSEES. I took all of them onboard to put together a manifesto that will deliver real change to SSEES!

What to expect

• More ambassadors on campus & embassy visits to maximise valuable cultural exchange & hands-on research for academics!
• Reintroduce film nights and organise social events with field professionals to maximise networking!
• Organise a SSEES culture and introductory language festival for all students!
• More community charity drives to help those in Ukraine!
• Pursue sponsorships to make long held dreams such as the SSEES Ball and new SSEES merch become economically feasible and possible!

It would be an honour to be your President for SSEES Society next year. From ensuring your voice is heard in committee meetings to introducing valuable new events to SSEES, a vote for me would be a vote for results, not just promises!

I am running for President of the SSEESSOC with a sincere commitment to making it a better, more supportive space for its members. Over the past years, I have actively pursued this commitment at SSEES in multiple roles: Events Officer at SSEESSOC, SSEES Student Ambassador, and Academic Representative for Politics, Sociology, and East European Studies.

As your Events Officer,

• I helped organise Welcome Week events and worked with the committee members diligently to deliver several career-focused events, responding to students’ academic and professional concerns.

Alongside this, my role as an SSEES Student Ambassador strengthened my outreach and communication skills.

• I have written about SSEES on multiple platforms to promote our causes and our great intellectual diversity.
• I worked closely with academic and professional staff, giving me insight into how the society, students, and the department can collaborate productively.

Previously, as an Academic Rep, I gained experience in leadership and advocacy by representing student interests and contributing to initiatives, including presenting peer-to-peer mental health support and assessment changes that can affect over 700 students at the Students' Union Policy Zone.

Through these roles, I have developed the organisational skills, commitment, and sense of responsibility needed to lead the society. I am standing because I care deeply about SSEES and every SSEESer and want to contribute to a more connected and supportive community for all.