I believe Rachel has the experience and vision to carry the movement forward; prioritising the right areas to unify a student body in HE who face many challenges in a time of great change, whilst strengthening HE’s relationship with FE on matters that affect all students.
In the run up to the next General Election, NUS needs officers who are versatile, know their stuff on a range of areas as well as being experts in their own portfolio. I've no doubt that Rachel would tick all those boxes as well as driving our Higher Education work forward to becoming powerfully campaigns focused. She has my full support.
Rachel has provided brilliant support to all the officers at Sheffield, she is fantastic at communicating what is happening within NUS and ensures our voices are heard on a national level. Without Rachel I probably wouldn't know much about the national campaign and I have not doubt she will do an amazing job as VP of Higher Education.
I'm supporting Rachel because she understands the importance of local issues, not just national. Those Unions who are not within easy reach of London need just as much support when campaigning as those who are, and not every Union experiences the same issues. Rachel has shown us that she can make that connection with those harder to reach Unions.
Higher Education is facing unprecedented challenge and change.
We don't just need someone at the top of our movement that represents it as a sector -
we need our VP HE to lead it.
I've seen Rachel campaign tirelessly not only against negative change, but for a positive
alternative. We've spent a long time talking down the opportunities universities offer -
but we need someone to build on the great work they are capable of doing. The great work
that Rachel is committed to.
Universities should be proud of their autonomy and difference, but we must ensure good work
is complemented with minimum standards of widening access, teaching quality, and
employability. Rachel has the experience and exciting ideas I am looking for in our
sector's next leader, and the sense of fairness which should run through all we do.
Driven by compassion, directed by fairness - Rachel's my choice for VPHE.