If you’re a new student, you’ll probably be reading or hearing the words “Student Officer Team” a lot. Want to learn more about them and what they do? You’re in the right place?  

What is an officer team?

The officer team is elected by you, members of UEA Students’ Union. They represent you and your views not only in the SU, but spearhead campaigns in the wider University such as the recent “No Cuts” campaign. They’re voted in the Spring Term every year, and serve from July-June of that year.  

Who are the FTO’s?

Full-time officers are students who are elected to take a sabbatical from their studies and become employees of uea(su), paid to represent your interests full-time to the University. 

uea(su) has five full-time officers, representing Undergraduate Students, Postgraduate Students, Activities and Opportunities, Campaigns and Democracy, and Welfare, Community and Diversity. 

Activities and Opportunities – Luke Johnson (he/him): Makes sure clubs and societies help students develop and feel happy and healthy. Works with students to ensure that clubs and societies are what students want. Ensures that University sports and co-curricular activities are well supported. Find out more at activities & opportunities officer (ueasu.org). 

Campaigns and Democracy – Serene Shibli Sexton (she/her/they/them): Campaigns on big issues that affect students. Ensures that students make the big decisions within the SU. Oversees the SU’s commercial activity, such as the LCR. Find out more at Campaigns & Democracy Officer (ueasu.org). 

Welfare, Community & Diversity – Nathan Wyatt (he/him): Makes accommodation better so students enjoy living in Norwich. Listens to students’ concerns so that issues can be identified and resolved. Campaigns on issues such as mental health and equality to help students build a happy, inclusive community. Find out more at welfare, community & diversity officer (ueasu.org) 

Undergraduate Education – Taylor Sounes (she/her): Helps students run the University in partnership, shaping how it works. Represents students to the University, ensuring their education meets their expectations. Works with reps to give students a say in how their courses are run. Stands up and speaks up for undergraduate students on behalf of their education. Find out more at undergraduate education officer (ueasu.org). 

Postgraduate Officer – Elise Page (they/them): Helps students run the University in partnership, shaping how it works. Represents students to the University, ensuring their education meets their expectations. Works with reps to give students a say in how their courses are run. Stands up and speaks up for postgraduate students on behalf of their education. Find out more at postgraduate officer (ueasu.org). 

Part Time Officers: Part Time Officers are current students just like you. With a range of portfolios from Environment and Ethical Issues to LGBTQ+ and Women's+ issues, your part-time officers are a diverse collective of devoted individuals who will represent you and push for change in many key facets of life at UEA. Find contact details for specific officers at part-time officers (ueasu.org) 

Can I become an officer?

Any student can become an officer! Nominations open in February each year; go to the nomination portal on the su website. Alternatively, if you’ve got any questions, pop upstairs in the Hive to the SU office and someone will be happy to help.  

Other roles available:  

Find out more about academic representatives here - Academic Representatives (ueasu.org). 

Find out more about students of colour ambassadors here - Students of Colour Ambassadors (ueasu.org).  

Find out more about sports and society executives here - Club and Society Executive Elections (ueasu.org).