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Get To Know Your Student Officers
Whether you’re a returning student or a fresher at Manchester Met, it’s so important to know who’s representing you on campus.
So, as part of The Union’s Welcome (and welcome back!), we're so excited to introduce you to your team of Student Officers!
This incredible team will be here throughout the year to advocate for needs and values, as well as support you during your time at uni.
What are Student Officers?
Student Officers represent Manchester Met students (you!) at all levels of decision making within the University, and campaign for positive changes on anything that impacts student life and your experience at uni.
These individuals represent your academic interests. They lead The Union’s political direction and are the bridge between students and the university, making sure your opinions are voiced and hold the University to account on decisions that affect you.
Student officers are your go-to team for anything related to student life. They’re full-time representatives who work to address the issues that matter most to you.
Whether you’re starting your journey or continuing it, this team is committed to making your university experience the best it can be.
How are they Elected?
The Student Officer Elections happen every year with students just like you deciding who’ll be the new Student Officer team.
The team is made up of the following positions:
President
Wellbeing Officer
Sports Officer
Education Officer
Societies and Development Officer
During the annual elections any Manchester Met student can stand for election and all students at the university will have the opportunity to vote.
Who are this year's Student Officers?
We’re so excited to now introduce you to this year's officers! To help you get to know them we asked them some questions:
Our President is the chief representative of the student body, leading the officer team, advocating for student rights, and working with university leaders to improve student life.
About Leila:
What did you study at uni?
BSc Forensic Psychology
Were you in any societies at uni?
Yes! I joined the dance club in my first year and loved it. I was also an international organiser at The Union where I helped the International Student Group project. It was fun to meet so many new people and hear about international students' experiences.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in São Paulo, Brazil. I lived there until I was 15. I then moved to the UK where I spent two years in London and another two years in Leamington Spa. I finally moved to Manchester in 2021 in order to do my degree.
What’s your dream holiday destination or somewhere you’d like to go again?
I want to travel the world so that is such a hard question for me to answer!
One place I would love to visit again is Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil. It's beautiful! It's a dessert full of sand dunes, after the rainy season the gaps between the sand dunes are transformed into lakes, its beautiful.
My dream location would be Iceland, it sounds like such a cool place. Iceland’s got loads of things I want to do and see like the Northern Lights and hiking trails.
A Fun Fact about yourself
I love different languages! So, if any students see me around campus please come and say 'hi’ in your language, I would love to learn.
I can speak Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian. Currently I'm learning Romanian and have just started learning Korean and Japanese. I want to learn as many languages as possible!
Our Education Officer improves students' academic experience by addressing teaching and learning issues. They ensure that student feedback is used to enhance education and support student success.
About Forum:
Where did you grow up?
Until January 2023, when I moved to Manchester, I lived in Gujarat in India. I love it here but even compared to the monsoon season in India, it rains so much more here. It's crazy!
What did you study at uni?
At Manchester Met, I enrolled onto the MSc. Management course. This was a massive shift for me because my original undergraduate degree was in Chemistry which I did in India.
Once I had graduated in India, I transitioned to the corporate sector where I was a Performance Management Executive, and it just made me realize how much I preferred that sector. I worked at that company for 1 year and then got promoted to Executive Assistant to the CEO. It was amazing!
What are your hobbies?
I love to dance! When The Union held their Culture Fest last year, I thought it was so incredible getting to see different cultures traditional dances. I’ll be dancing at the festival this year.
What’s your dream holiday destination or somewhere you’d like to go again?
Manchester is the first place I've been to apart from my home country. But I’m so excited to keep travelling. I definitely want to go to London and Bath, where Bridgerton was filmed! I love that series.
What’s your Favorite Animal?
It would definitely have to be a peacock. They’re so colorful and represent lots of things, like serenity. It’s so unique to see an animal so colorful.
Our Sports Officer promotes student participation in sports and works to improve facilities. They support athletes and ensure sports opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or ability.
About Sav:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in West Yorkshire and then moved down to Manchester when I started my degree at Manchester Met.
What did you study at uni?
At uni I studied Human Physiology and graduated last year. Graduation was really nice because all my family came to Manchester to see me, which is rare because most of them are further up north.
Were you in any societies or sports clubs whilst at uni?
Yeah, I played football and for my second and third year I was Vice Chairman. Aside from football, there's so many sports I like watching - like Netball or Rugby.
What would your dream concert be?
I would love to be able to see Arctic Monkey’s again. I saw them play in Lisbon in 2022 and they were incredible!
What’s your dream holiday destination?
It would have to be Singapore. I technically have been there because when I was travelling to Australia, I had a 4-hour changeover at the airport, but I didn’t get the chance to explore!
Our Wellbeing Officer focuses on student mental health, safety, and overall welfare. They work to improve support services, promote wellbeing initiatives, and ensure students have access to the help they need during their time at university.
About Gracie:
Where did you grow Up?
I grew up in Essex in a place near the Lakeside shopping center. I then moved to Manchester for uni in 2022, but before that I had never left my hometown. I didn’t even want to go to uni until 2021, but I’m so glad I did. Moving to Manchester has given me such great life experience and made me into the person I am now.
What did you study at uni?
International Business Management.
Were you in any societies at uni?
Yes, I started my own society in 2023 called the Lifestyle and Wellness Society. It was the best thing I ever did, I made so many new friends and met loads of new people. The society is still going now and has around 300 members.
What is your favourite sport?
I love having that balanced lifestyle, so I like running, yoga and going to the gym. In April this year I ran the London Marathon.
What would be your dream concert?
I would love to see Coldplay again. I went to one of their concerts in 2019 and it was amazing.
Our Societies and Development Officer at Manchester Met supports student clubs and societies, helping them grow and thrive. They work to increase student involvement, organize events, and ensure there are opportunities for everyone to connect and develop new skills.
About Vanessa:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Nigeria and then moved to Manchester in 2023 to do my Masters.
What did you do at uni?
I did my undergraduate degree in Mass Communications and now I’m doing my master's in Human Resources Management.
What’s your favorite sport or hobbie?
I love to play badminton, and I really like to dance.
What would your dream concert be?
I’d love to go to any sort of afrobeat's concert. My favorite artist right now is Davido.
What’s your favorite movie?
I don’t actually watch a lot of films, but I love to watch tv shows like Love Island and Big Brother. My favorite islander is Mimi currently!
What would be your dream holiday?
It would definitely have to be Bali, I'd love to go.
And there you are, you have been officially introduced!
The Officers are here to help, support and provide you with as many opportunities as possible. They are here to provide the students of Manchester Met with a clear voice and always act in your best interests.
Your Officers reside on the second floor of The Union so pop in and say hi!
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