USASA Student Board 2018

The USASA Board, made up of 14 elected UniSA students, is the peak decision making committee at USASA. The student board is passionate about representing the students of UniSA.

The Board has an overarching responsibility to manage the conduct of USASA's business and affairs. It is also responsible for the management and control of USASA’s funds and property.

Meet Your Reps

Click on a student rep’s image to view their contact details and profile to learn more.

National Union of Students

NUS works to protect the rights of all students and is the national VOICE on all student related issues. Comprising of more than 600,000 students, NUS represents almost every student organization in Australia.

Our NUS Representatives:
Tom Gilchrist
Jordan Mumford
Qihua Zheng
Natrydd Sigurthur
Kate Riggall
Bridget Barletta
Abid Hasan

Student Representative Blog

To find out what our student reps have been up to, visit the student rep blog at usasaboard.wordpress.com

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Student Representative Profiles

What are you studying?
Bachelor of Aviation

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
Having spent my first two years at university involved and engaged in campus life, I decided to run to become a campus representative for Mawson Lakes in 2016. After spending a productive year on the USASA board, I felt like I still had more work to do, so I decided to run to be your 2018 student president. 

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018? 
I hope to work productively with the rest of the 2018 board to ensure that USASA is an organisation which is relevant to the needs of UniSA students. Some of my key goals are to provide better funding and support to clubs, increasing student engagement, as well as expanding the free breakfast program.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Make sure to get involved in the non-academic side of campus life, where you can learn new skills and meet great people. Whether it is joining a USASA club, going on a study tour or overseas exchange, or seeking out volunteering opportunities, there is so much to campus life than lectures and tutorials.

Where is your favourite place to go in Adelaide/Whyalla/Mount Gambier?
​I love the Adelaide Hills, and there is nothing better for clearing the mind than a drive through the hills. 

View Jordan's board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
My research aims to investigate a potential EEG biomarker of healthy cognitive development in children, which might mediate the relationship between home environment, cognitive performance and learning outcomes, and might one day be used to identify children at risk of poor development, and inform the timing and nature of interventions to support their development. 

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I was inspired by the dedication and passion of the previous representatives, who I know through my study and through my involvement in student clubs. I saw the potential to create positive change, particularly by advocating for disadvantaged or marginalized students, and to give something back to an institution that I feel privileged to be a part of.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I'm passionate about student safety and wellbeing, connecting students to the services they need, creating a level playing field for minority and marginalized students, increasing student input and engagement with the university and student union, and providing events to suit postgraduate lifestyles, so we can engage in campus culture on our terms. I will aim to cement and build on the achievements of the previous representatives, to take concrete steps towards these goals. I also aim to advocate for a UniSA that's responsive to student needs and priorities, and focused around students' well-being and success. 

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Take the time to look after your mental and physical health during your studies; it's far more difficult to retain information when you're under stress, so this is the best investment you can make in your learning success. 

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? 
Probably sleep anyway.

View Kate's board blog posts here

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What are you studying? Psychological Science (Counselling and interpersonal skills)

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I wanted to become a student representative to hopefully make some change and improve the voice of indigenous students at university and hopefully make sure all campuses indigenous students have what they need.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I am hoping to aim to have a larger presence on campus as an indigenous representative. And also to aim to have a higher knowledge of indigenous topics around university and make sure there is communication between the three major universities of South Australia.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students? 
Find your balance between both uni and social life. If you don’t have the right balance, no matter what way it skews, you will crash and burn.

If you were a bird, what type of bird would you be? 
I woud be an emu just because I am afraid of heights, so not being able to fly would be great

View Pamela's board blog posts here.

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What are you studying? Masters of Professional Accounting

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
To give something back to UNISA and to be a voice for all international students and achieve something that will have a lasting impact in the university.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
More inclusive events that cater to the sensitivities of our diverse group of students. Work towards boosting base line club funding and make sure club executives are properly trained and accountable to its members.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students? 
Do not, follow any advice - including mine. It is your life, set your priorities and have YOUR adventures, make YOUR mistakes and learn from them. Have no regrets.

What’s your best tip to de-stress? 
Hit the gym, Go for a Hot Yoga to sweat the stress out and read a book to calm the wandering mind.

View Abid's board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) & Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Double Degree

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I wanted to continue to build upon the good work I did last year for City East Students.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I want to make sure that more student voices are present on a whole range of different forums, because vast majority of decisions being taken by the University directly affects the students. Ensuring that the students have a fair say in decision making process is an integral part of USASA’s vision.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Steering clear from platitudes, i would like to advise that it is always important to keep track of your journey. Compare your study behavior from the beginning of the year to the end of the year and this can be done by keeping a journal where you compile your study behavior. Once you look back properly, you will able to make correct adjustments which will help in your studies for next year.

What’s your best tip to de-stress? 
Do whatever you feel like, whether it is playing games, taking naps or watching television that does the trick. Do not try to follow someone else’s de-stress tip. Experiment and figure out the most optimal trick for you. 

View Natansh’s board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
Bachelor of Pharmacy

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
An opportunity to directly contribute to an improvement of UniSA student experiences in and outside of classrooms.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I’m aiming to help improve basic facilities for the City East campus.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Explore the possibilities! You’ll be surprised of the opportunities that UniSA got to offer.

If you were a bird, what type of bird would you be?
Penguin

What’s your best tip to de-stress? 
Listen to your body messages and response to its needs, i.e. spoil yourself once in a while when things get tough.

View Sopor’s board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
I am currently studying the Master of Management.

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I am passionate about improving students’ university life, enriching their experience, enlarging their social network and helping them make their voice heard in USASA, NUS and even outside Uni. I also want to challenge myself and make our university a better place. 

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I will work on engaging more students with uni-activities and improving students’ welfare. Most importantly, I will work flat out to increase voluntary, internship and job opportunities for students in UniSA.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Don’t say no to any experience. You would never know what would happen even with a small step forward. Join as many extracurricular activities as possible and meet as many new people as possible.

If you were a bird, what type of bird would you be? 
Early bird. I am not a night owl, but I always struggle to get up earlier than 7am, which has never happened if there is nothing important. It is said those successful people would fully make use of their morning time.  

View Qihua's board blog posts here

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What are you studying?
Currently, I’m in my third year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honors) and Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) double degree.

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I have always had a passion for UniSA! I believe with the hard work and dedication of students and staff, UniSA can absolutely be recognized as the leading University in SA, and become the place where everybody wants to study. Over the last two years of my degree, I have had a lot of discussions with students about ideas and improvements the University could make, and want to try my best to represent students in all matters concerning University and the student experience!

What can you achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
UniSA has a great close community feel, and I really would like to build on this for all students. I would also like to get students more involved by offering more on campus, and making sure that students have the support they need through their journey as a student. Students need to know how they can have a voice, and have a say about the things they would like to see as a part of their studies and student experience.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Don’t allow your studies to be your only defining feature! Personal and professional development is also about your extra-curricular activities, your networks and experiences which allow you to grow. Now is a good time to create social networks and undertake new experiences – join a club, go on a study tour, attend some university events or seek out some volunteering opportunities! 

Where is your favourite place to go in Adelaide?
This is soo tricky! I love being outdoors. Although, I would have to say my most visited place is the Adelaide Botanic Gardens (Seriously, pick up a book or do some study here, you will not regret it!) 

View Bridget's board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
Bachelor of Aviation – Management 

What made you want to become a Student Representative?Seeing all the work and effort that Jordan Mumford put into being representative at Mawson Lakes throughout made me want to continue on his legacy and encourage more people in our cohort to get more involved in university activities and issues.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I want to help reinvigorate campus life by working to increase funding to clubs meaning more dynamic campus at Mawson Lakes with more frequent events and student involvement.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Start your assignments before the final week, and organise a time with your lecturer to look over a draft copy to ensure you’re on the right track.

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? 
Become a professional dancer, it has always been my dream.  

View Grace’s board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
I am in the third year of my Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree. I major in Mechatronics.

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I felt like it was important to reach out to the student community and make their lives in UniSA more enriching and joyous. The best way I thought I could do this was by being their representative. I also wanted to enhance the campus culture at Mawson Lakes and ensure that the students feel a sense of belonging to where they spend most of their time every day.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I hope to work towards better-funded clubs, cheaper food varieties and improved campus culture in Mawson Lakes.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Network and make friends! Don’t always stay in your own clique. This will definitely help you in the future, even if you don’t see its value now. Also, don’t forget to study!

What have you been watching or listening to recently?
Silicon Valley! Maybe I am late to the party (for those of you who have already seen it) but for those who have not, do watch it because it’s so good!

View Sneha's board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing, Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
I got to serve as Magill student rep for the second half of 2017 and I enjoyed it so much I wanted to do it again in 2018. My interests in particular are student welfare, education, and on improving the student experience at my campus, Magill.

What can you achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
I would like to improve the student experience at UniSA. Through things like events and better engagement I would like to see an increase in the numbers of students on campus and the amount of time they spent here. This would see an improved atmosphere, and an increased likelihood of students getting together and creating or joining clubs. I would also like to see more student input into decisions that affect students.  

What's your best piece of advice for fellow students?
Look outwards. There’s more to university than just academia and finishing assignments at 4:59pm on a Friday. Join UniSA Sport, join a USASA Club, do volunteering, become an academic rep, go on exchange, do a leadership program –there are so many opportunities here. Doing these things is a great ways of making new friends and having a more positive university experience. 

If you were a bird, what type of bird would you be? 
A parrot because I like impersonating people.

View Ryan’s board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
Third Year Social Work

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
Passion to work with students and advocate for student rights on campus

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
Actively engage with students through out the year to increase student participation with USASA.

What's your best piece of advice for fellow students?
Live a well-balanced life; university work is pleasure when we have a supported social life.

Where is your favourite place to go in Adelaide?
Long Lost friend on Magill Road & Argo Café on the Parade

View Surabhi's board blog posts here.

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What are you studying?
Education (Primary)

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
Third year running and loving it, I want to get the best from my uni experience

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
Fun, fairness, food

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
Do some work each day, don’t waste a minute, get up earlier if you have to.

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? 
Form a band and rock all night

View Kemal’s board blog posts here.
 

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What are you studying?
Bachelor of Education - Primary

What made you want to become a Student Representative?
The opportunity to represent the UniSA students, both internal and external, here at Mount Gambier, and to provide them with a range of unique and diverse social events and activities. We miss out on a lot of events compared to the campuses in Adelaide which is really upsetting, and being quite a social butterfly I hope to bring some fun and excitement to the campus here.

What do you aim to achieve for UniSA students in 2018?
My aim is to make sure that all students, whether internal or external, become a part of the social inclusion that I wish to integrate into our university here in Mount Gambier. I'm a big believer that laughter is the best medicine, and I hope that my vibrant and friendly personality can provide this for the students at Mount Gambier.

What's your best piece of advice for your fellow students?
My best piece of advice is to not stress over the little things. I know this is something that you hear all the time, and sounds like a typical statement but it's extremely important to not make a big deal over things that will not impact you in the short term. I also live by the term "She'll Be Right" and carry this with me throughout everything I do in life to ensure that I don't worry about things that will not impact me drastically.

If you were a bird, what type of bird would you be?
​If I were a bird I believe that I would be a Flamingo. They are very social birds, and spend most of the day feeding and resting. Which is very similar to me when I'm not studying! I also adore bright colours, which you may notice when I'm walking around university with my numerous bags.

View Georgina’s board blog posts here.
 

2017 Student Board