LEAD LIKE A STUDENT

BECOME A STUDENT LEADER AT ESSEX SU

Represent East 15 students...

Apply to be the East 15 President, it's a part time role and you'll be responsible for representing all East 15 students at Loughton.

There are 5 full-time roles you can apply for too. Read on to find out more.

Interested? 👇

YES! I'm ready to apply

Essex SU is run by a team of elected Student Leaders

They achieve amazing things for Essex students

Any Essex student can apply to be a Student Leader

Applications close in...

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Essex students with election campaign signs

The Perks

Lead Essex SU

Really! As a member of the Student Leadership Team you’ll be at the top of the SUs hierarchy.

Represent Students

You'll be a voice for 13,000 Essex students, making sure that their needs are understood and represented.

1 year paid contract

You'll work part-time, 10 hours per week (East15 Loughton President), or full-time, 35 hours per week (all other roles) from July 1st 2025 to June 30th 2026.

7 roles available

There’s a variety of roles to suit every interest. You’ll be working alongside 6 team mates in the same boat.

No Interviews

You’ll be part of our exciting, all-student election, where you’ll be picked based on votes, not interviews!

The ultimate CV booster

You'll gain a bunch of transferrable skills to add like: time management, people management, communication, strategic thinking and public speaking.

Rated 5 Stars*

“Making change, leading projects and working with senior leaders as a Student Leader is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The skills, connections and experiences I’ve gained in my two years as VP Education and the huge impact I’ve made will be cherished forever. The SU has transformed my life and has given me the leadership ability to run my own business.”

— Joe Holmes, VP Education 2023-25

“Being VP Welfare has helped me grow in ways I never imagined, building confidence, diplomacy, public speaking, and leadership while creating unforgettable memories. I've got to influence policy at both university and national levels, advocate for meaningful change, and leave a lasting impact. It’s been a privilege I will always cherish.”

— Nifemi Wilson-Adu, VP Welfare 2023-25

“This role has been more than a job - it’s been a journey of growth, discovery, and purpose. The skills I’ve gained by being a part of senior management are invaluable. From mastering the art of public speaking to earning the trust of students as someone approachable and empathetic, every challenge and every success has shaped me into a stronger version of myself. It’s been an absolute honour to serve the students, to stand by them and to make a difference in their university experience. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity.”

— Marium Masroor, VP Southend 2023-25

“There’s no other job like it. From the variety of work, to the skills you gain and people you meet. The experience helped me to get on a competitive 2-year graduate scheme.”

— Nashwa Alsakka, SU President 2022-23 and VP International 2021-22

"Being VP Community and Engagement gives you a sense of leadership which helps when applying for roles as you learn how to delegate and check on progress."

— Flazzi Adekanmbi, VP Community & Engagement, 2022-23

"It’s an incredibly underrated opportunity. This is a chance for you to gain wide-ranging experience and to develop in a huge way — all while helping life get better for students. As VP Education, you get the chance to work alongside senior university staff and to ensure student views on their education are heard!"

Callum Broadbent, VP Education 2020-22

“It was an honour to be trusted by Essex students to lead the SU and represent them at the highest levels of the university and nationally, but especially during the height of the pandemic.”

Asha Ali, SU President 2019-20 & VP International 2018-19

“The skills I learnt including: negotiation skills, diplomacy and listening to all views, have been essential for me and have helped me to be the best SU President I could be.”

Kieran Phillips, SU President 2023-24, Union Chair 2021-23, Colchester Campus Chair 2020-21

*From people who have been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

INTRODUCING THE
STUDENT LEADER ROLES

EAST15 LOUGHTON PRESIDENT

This person works part-time to represent students at East15 Loughton.

Get to know the role Apply for East15 President

SU President

So you fancy yourself as being the Leader of the SU? But what does being SU President actually involve?

Get to know the role Apply for SU President

VP Education

This role is all about ensuring that students are getting the very best education possible here at Essex.

Get to know the role Apply for VP Education

VP Welfare

You’ll ensure students are receiving the best welfare support possible. You’ll work with SU Advice, the student conduct team, and SWIS.

Get to know the role Apply for VP Welfare

VP Activities

Previously named VP Student Experience. You’ll work with students in VTeam, Sports, Societies and Rebel. You’ll sit on the Essex Sports Board and be the President of the Blades.

Get to know the role Apply for VP Activities

VP Southend

Based in Southend, you’ll ensure that students in Southend have the best possible university experience. Working with the 5 other Student Leaders and Southend team.

Get to know the role Apply for VP Southend

Already know you’ve got what it takes?

That's great!

You have until Sunday 23 February to submit your application.

Apply here

So How Does it all Work?

Essex SU is run by students, for students

Each year in February, students put themselves forward to run for a full-time, paid position as a Student Leader. They campaign for votes and every Essex student will have an equal chance to 'vote like a student' and choose who they want to be elected into each of the 6 roles.

This is the SU Leadership Election.

The SU Leadership Elections is broken down into these stages...

Interested in running? Let us know by expressing your interest by 23:59 Sunday 9 February.

It’s the first step towards becoming a 2025-26 Student Leader.

This is the phase where you can apply (put yourself forward) for 1 of 6 roles.

You can only nominate yourself for one role.

CHOOSE FROM:

Monday 24 February
Tuesday 25 February

Now that you’re a candidate, it is time to find out all of the details and ensure you understand the rules and procedure of the SU Leadership Election. It is also an opportunity to find out anything you want to know before campaigning starts.

The candidate briefing is compulsory. You must attend at least one of the sessions.

All candidates will be announced by Essex SU as an official candidate in the SU Leadership Election 2025/26.

You can start promoting that you are running for a position in the SU Leadership Election!

It is your chance to do everything that you can to get the most votes in your category.

Use this period to convince the student body that you are the best person for the role and that they should vote for you.

Use posters, social media posts, leafleting and campaigning on campus.

And voting is open! Now’s the time to make sure your audience are voting!!!

All eligible students can vote for who they want to lead Essex SU. Voting is available online. This is when campaigning gets to its most intense and you’re pushing to get as many people to vote for you as possible.

Students vote in order of preference.

The results of the SU Leadership Election 2025/26 are announced. If you’re a candidate, you cross your fingers that it’s you. Good luck!

CAMPAIGN HUB

Talk To Us

Got a question? Just drop us an email

LEAD LIKE A STUDENT

BECOME A STUDENT LEADER AT ESSEX SU

The Perks

Rated 5 Stars*