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About us > Representative Officers  

About us

The University of Sussex Students' Union aims to make the lives of its members better by providing opportunities such as sports clubs and societies, advice and support services on issues such as housing and coursework and student-friendly shops and bars on campus.

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► Representative Officers

Representative Officers

There are eight Representative Officers, each representing one of the following representative groups:

They actively work to ensure that the views and needs of the relevant group are considered within the Union and University community. They sit on the Union Council and relevant committees. Elections for these posts typically take place during the autumn term.

They work closely with the Equality and Diversity part-time officer and the Welfare Officer on relevant local and national campaigns and events. Students standing for these positions should self-identify as a member of the relevant group.

*‘Black’ is defined by the Students' Union to be inclusive of students from African, Asian and Caribbean decent and everyone who self-identifies as a black student.

Representative Officers

Black Students' Representative Officer

Chukwuma Okonkwo

Chukwuma Okonkwo
Business, Mangement & Economics, Taught Postgraduate

Email: blackstudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Hi, I am Chuma, your Black Students' Officer. I represent the constituency of Black students, comprising of African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean descent, at Sussex on all issues affecting Black students.

What’s my role?
It is basically to ensure that issues impacting on all black students studies and experience on campus are raised to the Students’ Union Council to ensure that important black students’ issues flow into the decision making processes of the Students’ Union.

What’s my goal?
Summarily, my goal is to engage strongly with ACAS, a robust link to black students on campus, community based black movements in Brighton-Hove, and NUS black students campaign to ensure that black students issues and campaigns are brought to the door step of the University. This means that black perspective will be fully integrated into the fabric of students’ union and society.

What’s my ideology?
I work in the maxim that “unity is strength” and I firmly believe that together we can make a real difference for positive change. I believe that our future as black people lies not in the multiplicity of ideas but in the singleness of purpose, dedication to the concept that this can be a better and freer place for us all. That’s why I think we should share what we have got and known, so that our other neighbors- from other race- may build and grow upon what we have set out.

How can you identify?
I have created networking platforms on facebook and twitter. Kindly like University of Sussex Black Students' Forum on facebook and follow @USblackstudents on twitter. You can communicate to me on email: blackstudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk for any issues or enquiries. Everyone’s support is welcome. Yes you can….. Just do it!

Disabled Students' Representative Officer

Irene Pournara

Sam Shuttleworth
Law, Politics & Sociology Year 1

Email: disabledstudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Howdy.

I’m Sam; when I was three I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and Hypotonia.

All my life I have grown up around fellow disabled children; our shared experiences taught me much about our needs as a community, and left me with a strong desire to help fellow students as much as possible.

I promise to hold regular surgeries, always be there if you need help, advice or just someone to talk to, and to speak out constantly in the Union on issues that matter to you.

Thank you, I look forward to serving you.

International Students’ Representative Officer

Irene Pournara

Irene Pournara
Business, Management & Economics, Year 1

Email: internationalstudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Hello everyone,

My role is to assist you, international students, whether undergraduate, postgraduate or exchange, with any issues that you may be experiencing during the course of your degree here at Sussex. These may include fees, personal concerns about housing, information about the university and the city of Brighton, events organised by the Students’ Union or the International and Study Abroad Office a(ISAO) and anything else you may have queries about. I have teamed up with the International Students’ Society and we are planning more social events for all of you this term.

Feel free to contact at any time in order for me to help you, advise you or set up a meeting with you. Stay tuned by joining my facebook page!

Part-time Students’ Representative Officer

This position is currently vacant

LGBTQ Students’ Representative Officer

Jess

Jess Bayliss
History, Art History & Philosophy, Year 3

Email: lgbtqstudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Having built my experience of LGBTQ issues up over the past few years, both within the Sussex student body - on the LGBTQ committee, and elsewhere - including having been elected to represent the University at the NUS LGBT Conference, I feel well equipped to represent LGBTQ students. There is still huge room for improvement in terms of equality and diversity at Sussex, and I will be an extremely involved, passionate and accountable representative who strives to use everything I have learnt in the past to really make the most of this position and effect some change for you. 

Mature Students’ Representative Officer

Justin Rathbone

Justin Rathbone
Life Sciences, Year 1

Email: maturestudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

All students have access to the same help and facilities here at Sussex, ensuring equality for all. However, I would like to introduce specificity within these services; whether the issue is personal, academic or social, representation specifically for the mature student is something I aim to deliver.

Mature students, by definition, are a diverse group, but our diversity is represented by a minority and minorities are not always heard. I want to provide a voice for our thriving, yet underrepresented, community.

Student Parents’ Representative Officer

This position is currently vacant

Women Students’ Representative Officer

Maya Lane

Maya Lane
Global Studies, Year 1

Email: womenstudents@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

Having always been passionate about women’s issues both in a social and political way, my interests are now moving towards aiding all genders to understand what have traditionally been female or feminist only concerns.

I aim to raise awareness about these issues, in a fun, interesting and non-threatening way. I will be someone that everybody can talk to about anything related to women; problems, thoughts, or to make suggestions for the union. I know I am not representative of all women at Sussex but with my enthusiasm and the input of my peers I can be a strong female voice.