Student Advisory Council (SAC)

Jackson Cocks (He/him)

Undergraduate Representative

Jackson Cocks is an undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Wollongong. This unique degree combination gives me a range of experiences in many areas of the University, assisting me to put forward different student perspectives at various forums.

I am also a member of the University Council (2021-2023) and Academic Senate (2020-2021). I am also the current chair of the Student Advisory Council and co-chair of the Student Staff Partnership on Student Representation in Academic Matters. I am an advocate for strong student representation at the University and believe it is key to giving students the best university experience. I have also been involved in other task and finish groups, working towards developing student-staff partnerships and ensuring university governance bodies are appropriate and adapted to serve their purpose. In my time on these forums I have co-authored the Interim Report on Academic Appeals and Review of Grades Processes and Procedure and has commenced working on initiatives focusing on UOW accommodation services.

In addition to my degree, I have taken on various roles at the University of Wollongong Law Students’ Society since 2019 working on marketing, policy development and ensuring the smooth operation of the Society. For this work, I was recognised by the School of Law through an Excellence in Student Leadership Award. I also chaired the Society’s Faculty Feedback Committee which provided feedback to the University on key issues surrounding online learning. I have worked as a caseworker at the Illawarra Legal Centre, providing support to the Illawarra community and assisting in policy contributions, and has research experience working with ANCORS at the University of Wollongong.

Vacant

Postgraduate Representative

Madeline Findlay (She/her)

Undergraduate Representative

My name is Madeline Findlay, and I am the Undergraduate Representative in the Academic Senate and Student Advisory Council. I am in my fifth and final year of University, studying Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Communications and Media (Marketing and Advertising) double degree. My passions include social justice and human rights, and I hope to one day incorporate both my knowledge of the law and media skills to make a change within the wider community. For now, I am enjoying contributing to the University community through my involvement in the Senate and Student Advisory Council. I am dedicated to helping students obtain the best learning experiences possible. 

Alec Hall (They/them)

Undergraduate Representative

Hi I’m Alec Hall and I was elected to the Academic Senate as one of the undergraduate members for a year long-term starting in 2021. I am studying a Bachelor of International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. 

I have been involved in the UOW student community for several years, first being elected to the Representative Team of the Allsorts Queer Collective in 2017 as Finance and Social Media Officers, I also worked as an organiser for the Yes campaign during the 2017 Equal Marriage Survey. Since then,  have served as Convenor of the Allsorts Queer Collective in 2018, Coordinator of the Tertangala in 2019 and President of the Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association in 2020. I have a deep connection in the student unionism movement and am involved greatly with the Allsorts Queer Collective, The Tertangala and WUSA. My current position in WUSA is the Disabilities Officer for 2021.

My time at UOW has been focused on bettering the material state of students and fighting for social justice on campus through activism and direct action. Outside of university I am a devout member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the Illawarra and is deeply involved in local left-wing politics. 

My current focus is on ensuring the accessibility of UOW’s services and bettering the state of students with disabilities on campus. 

Jackson Cocks (He/him)

Undergraduate Representative

Jackson Cocks is an undergraduate student studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Wollongong. This unique degree combination gives me a range of experiences in many areas of the University, assisting me to put forward different student perspectives at various forums.

I am also a member of the University Council (2021-2023) and Academic Senate (2020-2021). I am also the current chair of the Student Advisory Council and co-chair of the Student Staff Partnership on Student Representation in Academic Matters. I am an advocate for strong student representation at the University and believe it is key to giving students the best university experience. I have also been involved in other task and finish groups, working towards developing student-staff partnerships and ensuring university governance bodies are appropriate and adapted to serve their purpose. In my time on these forums I have co-authored the Interim Report on Academic Appeals and Review of Grades Processes and Procedure and has commenced working on initiatives focusing on UOW accommodation services.

In addition to my degree, I have taken on various roles at the University of Wollongong Law Students’ Society since 2019 working on marketing, policy development and ensuring the smooth operation of the Society. For this work, I was recognised by the School of Law through an Excellence in Student Leadership Award. I also chaired the Society’s Faculty Feedback Committee which provided feedback to the University on key issues surrounding online learning. I have worked as a caseworker at the Illawarra Legal Centre, providing support to the Illawarra community and assisting in policy contributions, and has research experience working with ANCORS at the University of Wollongong.

Sarah Vogel (She/her)

Postgraduate Representative

I am a Postgraduate Representative on the Academic Senate, beginning in 2021. I am currently in my third year of a Doctor of Philosophy, having graduated from a Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours) in 2018. Throughout my time at UOW, I have interacted with the entire breadth of the student population; from those in primary and high school aspiring towards tertiary education, through to postgraduate students submitting the theses. I have worked in several roles; as an In2Uni mentor, Peer Success Coach, an academic tutor and demonstrator, and as the Vice President and President of the Physics Society

Consequently, I offer a unique understanding into the wants and needs of not just postgraduate students, but also the wider student community. I believe that this scope is necessary to make the appropriate decisions to be a university that students want to attend, allow students to continue to thrive in a rich education environment and to expand our strong research output. As part of my membership on the SAC, I will advocate for postgraduate students by encouraging continued investment into research facilities and equipment.

Ashley Bannister (She/her)

Undergraduate Representative

Hello, my name is Ashley Bannister and I was elected as an Undergraduate student representative on Academic Senate.  I was elected to this position in 2021 for a period of one year.

Jay Joshi

Postgraduate Representative

My name is Jay Joshi and I was elected to Academic Senate and the Student Advisory Council by the postgraduate students of the University for one year term commenced on 1st January 2021.

I have been studying Master of Professional Accounting Advanced (Major: Financial Management), this is my second masters. I have completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce (Major: Business Management) at the University of Mumbai, which helped me enhance the required skills and gain the relevant experience, which now enables me to understand the student perspective and provided an effective representation on their behalf.

I have been the Postgraduate Student Representative on UOW Pulse Advisory Committee since 2020 and will be continuing my term for 2021. I am also a member of the University's Academic Senate, Wollongong University Postgraduate Association (WUPA) and Student Advisory Council from 1st January 2021.

I am a participant and team leader at the Univative. I have been always active with student forums be it in Australia or India. Have been a part of numerous University events in India.

I have always believed student engagement and interaction to be the most effective way to understand what the students expect from the educational institution, and how that can be properly communicated by appropriate.

Taani Hendriks (She/her)

WUSA Representative

My name is Taani Hendriks and was elected President of the Wollongong Undergraduate Students’ Association for a one-year term beginning in December 2020. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies with majors in Global Communication and Media studies as well as Marketing and Advertising Communication. This has given me valuable skills in enabling me to develop critical thinking and give me a deeper understanding of how media affects our socio-political scope taking all facets and intersections of the human experience into account.

I have been involved with student community and community action for several years starting with my involvement in the Allsorts Queer Collective in 2017 where I was involved with demonstrations on campus for the Yes Campaign during the Marriage Equality Survey. Since then, I have been passionate advocate and representative of the Allsorts Queer Collective and voicing the needs of queer and other marginalised students on campus and in 2019 served as Convenor of the Allsorts Queer Collective and was elected Queer representative on WUSA council and is an avid fighter for the movement of student unionism and is still heavily involved with Allsorts today.

I have spent my time at UOW sharing my opinion as a consultant to several programs run by the university working closely with Safe and Respectful Communities and the Ally Network dedicating my time helping to better enrich the student experience and fighting for social justice through student action and demonstrations on and off campus.

Outside of university, I also volunteered as a Media and Communications Coordinator for Bipolar Australia and ran a World Bipolar Day media campaign to raise awareness for issues and struggles faced by people with bipolar where I worked closely with the head of the organisation and was given invaluable experience, delivering a successful digital campaign in the face of the pandemic in late March 2020.

I have dedicated my time to valuable causes, fighting against systems of marginalisation and oppression and lifting the voices of those not often heard. I am currently focusing is on student safety and wellbeing on campus with special attention to the intersections of oppression students face today.

Jin Zhao (He/him)

WUPA Representative

My name is Jin Zhao. I am a Ph.D. candidate from School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering (SECTE), Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS). I am an international student from China and I completed my Master's degree at University of Wollongong. My research topic for Ph.D. is about the control of electric vehicle transmission. Now it is my third year doing research at UOW and my Ph.D. study enables me to explore an area deeply with specialised insight. And I hope the results of my original research can have wide-reaching benefits, not only for my own career but also for everyone.

I am also the president of Wollongong University Postgraduate Association, and it is my duty to contribute in WUPA assisting more students in improving their campus life. As a student representative in SAC, it is my core belief to make students heard. I will actively work with every other member of SAC to help make every students’ daily life more enjoyable and meaningful

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Rhys Smith (He/him)

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (Undergraduate Representative)

My name is Rhys Smith and as of this year I am currently the Undergraduate Representative for the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities on the UOW Student Advisory Council. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and writing my thesis this year. My research focuses on the motivations of Western paramilitaries who volunteered in Southern African decolonial conflicts. I am passionate about student experience and representation, and I look forward to serving my fellow students in this role.

In my spare time I have also been heavily involved in UOW clubs and societies, serving as both Vice President and President of the UOW Philosophy Forum and the UOW History Society throughout my studies. I love building community and I hope to continue to do so in this role. Outside of UOW, I currently volunteer as a rural firefighter in Wollongong which I have found very rewarding.

In my position on the SAC I would like to help improve the academic and social life of my fellow students, and ensure that they are fairly represented in this particularly unique pandemic situation. I encourage anyone in the faculty of ASSH to get in touch with me if they have any needs or concerns, and I will do my best to help them or find the people who can. Cheers.

Mahime Watanabe (She/her)

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (International Representative)

I am the International Representative for the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities and I commenced my term in 2020. I am studying a Bachelor of Mathematics Education (Dean’s Scholar).

I am passionate about student wellbeing in educational settings. I was heavily involved in the wellbeing program at Kooloobong Village as a Senior Student Leader until 2020. I have also worked in various student engagement roles within the university, including: Peer Academic Coach (Learning Co-Op), International Student Ambassador (International Student Programs), UOWx Ambassador (UOWx) and Wellbeing Ambassador (Student Life and Wellbeing). Currently, I am a part of the Students as Partners in Mentoring (SaPiM) program for the School of Education, where I am a student volunteer mentor for fellow Education students. Outside of the University, I have been involved with Primary Ethics, where I volunteer as an ethics teacher at local primary schools; and with NSW Department of Education International where I am a student ambassador.

As a student representative, I would like to ensure that the voices of our international students are heard, and the unique challenges we face every day are acknowledged and addressed within the University.

Faculty of Business and Law

Bongani Munkuli

Faculty of Business and Law (International Representative)

Hello my name is Bongani Munkuli and I was elected as the International student representative in the Business and Law and will attend the Faculty International Committee in BAL until 31 December 2021. As a faculty representative I hold a position on the Student Advisory Council which represents the student voice. I am currently a PhD candidate in Finance at UOW. I previously received a Master of Science Banking and Finance from the Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy and a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Accounting from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. For the past decade, I have worked both in industry as a financial analyst and in academia where I lectured in the field of finance. During my journey I have gained a range of experiences in many areas of the University, assisting me to put forward different student perspectives to the Council. I am honoured to have been selected as a representative, which will allow me to voice the needs of international students. I look forward to collaborating with the university representatives; expressing the views of international students; and advocating for students' academic excellence. I enjoy traveling, playing football, investing, and volunteering in his community with friends, and family. I am always willing to share information on a plethora of subjects, including business and finance. My knowledge, professionalism, and expertise have helped many individuals. I am big on communication and takes pride in listening to people’s wants and needs to achieve the best experience possible on every interaction. I have a love of learning to expand his knowledge as well as applying that knowledge to various situation. One of my mottos is “applied knowledge is better than just knowledge. You can learn all you want but if you do not apply it, it loses its value, purpose, and impact on the lives around you.” I am passionate about advocating for individuals who do not have easy access to the tools that could make their lives better, as well as for those who have the talent to accomplish much but are never given the chance. I hope to always be a servant leader to all and continuously share my knowledge with everyone I cross paths with.

David Havyatt (He/him)

Faculty of Business and Law (Postgraduate Representative)

I am enrolled as a part time student in my second year of a PhD in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Wollongong. My field of research is on economic regulation of electricity networks. I also have a long business experience in telecommunications, regulation and policy.

From my earliest undergraduate days to today I have been a supporter of the independence of Universities, the importance of active student participation in governance and that the value of University is in developing skills applicable to all parts of life, not just as narrow job training grounds.

As the postgraduate representative in BAL, I am keen to represent the interests, priorities and concerns of both coursework and research postgraduate students. This includes any aspect of the student experience, and extends beyond just teaching, learning and research to other areas such as any issues students have as visitors to the region or the country. I’m always available for a chat.

Henry Streamer

Faculty of Business and Law (Undergraduate Representative)

Hello, my name is Henry Streamer and I am the Undergraduate student representative for the Faculty of Business and Law. I was elected to this position in 2020 for a period of two years.

Theo Totsis (He/him)

Faculty of Business and Law (Undergraduate Representative)

Hello, my name is Theo Totsis and I am the Undergraduate student representative for the Faculty of Business and Law. I was elected to this position in 2020 for a period of two years.

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Geeta Mahala (She/her)

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (International Representative)

My name is Geeta Mahala and I was elected to the Student Advisory Council as the International student representative in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) for a one-year term, commencing March 2021. I am currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science. My PhD is fully funded by UOW and am the recipient of the “International Postgraduate Tuition Award (ITPA)” and the “University Postgraduate Award (UPA)”. The focus of my research is “The future of RPA: Leveraging deeper insights into effective human behaviour using novel classes of abstractions combined with machine learning”.

In addition to my degree and studies, I enthusiastically participate and contribute as a volunteer to several welfare agencies as I think my talent/skills can help me to transform society. I actively work towards the betterment of community by sharing my knowledge with university students, budding talent, and Startups and have volunteered for UOW as a Mentor and UOWx Ambassador, Jobs for NSW in Univative Sydney, 2017, and Allotrac in iUnivative, 2017.

As part of the Student Advisory Council, I am currently working on a project seeking to provide a platform/way for international students to find internships and post-study work in their own field. International students, who have plenty of work experience, often struggle to find a part-time (during session) or full-time job (during session break or post-graduation) due to various reasons, such as time taken to make themselves familiar in a new country/environment hampers their ability to quickly build new industrial relationship and to prove how their past work experience benefits Australia. Therefore, I am actively working with faculty to create an Internship Program, a Placement Program, and an Industry Collaboration to make opportunities for international students to get job in their own field.

Helena Ibro (She/her)

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (Postgraduate Representative)

Hello my name is Helena Ibro and I was elected to the role of postgraduate student representative in the faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) and the Student Advisory Council for a one-year term, commencing March 2021.

I am currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science. My studies are fully funded by both the University and NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD). The main focus of my research is in utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve cancer management.

In addition to my degree and studies, I have taken on several leading roles at the University of Wollongong with the most recent being an international mentor for EIS as of 2021. Coming from Albania and being an international student myself, I work alongside other mentors to foster a positive UOW experience in order to reduce barriers for the faculty’s students by providing support and advice and referring them to appropriate support services on campus.

I really enjoy engaging with other students, whether it is at student representation forums, in the lab or at university social events. As part of my role on the Student Advisory Council I am currently working on a project seeking to provide a platform/way for postgraduate students to access various interdisciplinary lectures that would benefit their research without them having to enrol in the subject. Living in this new online learning environment, accessibility to resources has become more difficult and confusing for young researchers.

Supporting them throughout their journey with the appropriate tools and knowledge can make their experience more enjoyable and their work more significant.

Samuel Harrison

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (Undergraduate Representative)

Hi I’m Samuel and I’m in the second year of my term in the SAC as the undergraduate representative for the EIS faculty. I’m currently studying a double degree in electrical engineering and mathematics. My main goal in the SAC is to ensure students have a say in their learning and the ability to choose how they learn within a subject.

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health

Kate Humajova

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (International Representative)

Hello, my name is Kate Humajova and I am the International student representative for the Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health. I was elected to this position in 2020 for a period of two years.

Matthew Hammond (He/him)

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (Undergraduate Representative)

My name is Matthew Hammond and I was elected to the Council for a one-year term, commencing 1 January 2021. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Science (Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences) with a Minor in Sustainable Communities and a Minor in Environmental Crisis and Response. I chose this degree structure to give me a multi-disciplinary student experience.

I also sit on the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health Faculty Education Committee, speaking on behalf of the Undergraduate student body. Throughout my time at UOW, I have taken on various roles within the Harry Potter Society, focusing on collaboration and networking with other students and societies. Moving into my role on the Council, I carry my passion for collaboration and working with others. In the Council, I aim to promote the best possible student experience for those studying at the University of Wollongong.

Nicholas Mott (He/him)

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (Postgraduate Representative)

I am the Postgraduate Representative for the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (SMAH) for a one-year term commencing March 2021. I am currently studying a Doctor of Medicine (MD), following the completion of the Bachelor of Pre-Medicine Science and Health (Nutrition) in 2020. The experience of being both an undergraduate and postgraduate student at the University has given me an understanding of the issues facing students in all stages of study.

In addition to my degree, Nicholas is the Secretary of UOW Student Health Alliance for Rural Populations. In this role, I have aided in the delivery of events and engagement with rural high schools to build awareness of the need for health practitioners in rural and remote areas. I was also a previous Senior Student Leader, with experience in developing programs targeted at improving student well-being and aiding students in finding available support services in times of need.

I am an active participant in the Faculty Education Committee in SMAH as well as regularly attending SAC meetings to represent the student cohort in SMAH. I have a keen interest in areas of mental health advocacy and delivery of subjects to regional campuses.

Emily Nield (She/her)

Shoalhaven campus - Student Representative

Hi my name is Emily Nield and am the student campus representative for the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven Campus. I have been the Shoalhaven Campus representative since 2020 and continues my role in 2021. I am currently in my third year of study of a Bachelor of Social Work at the Shoalhaven Campus in Nowra.

I take great pride in being a regional student and use my local knowledge, community engagement and connections with the area to understand and support students I am also President of the Shoalhaven People's Association of Recreation Training and Activities (SPARTA UOW) where I organise and run events such as weekly yoga, BBQs, live music and other social events. From this, I am always trying to create a regional campus where students have access to similar opportunities as Wollongong. I also have a role as the Allied Health Representative for UOW Student Health Alliance for Rural Populations where I can share my passion for rural health, and help create and run workshops at Shoalhaven high schools. I am also a volunteer and youth representative for the local Nowra headspace. As a student representative I have a great focus on student mental health and wellbeing, as well as equal opportunities for all students.

I am honoured to be a student representative for the Student Advisory Council again this year and look forward to implementing change and supporting regional students at the University of Wollongong.

Vacant

Bega campus - Student Representative

Vacant

Sydney CBD campus - Student Representative

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Southern Sydney campus (Loftus) - Student Representative

Zara Nazeen (She/her)

South Western Sydney campus (Liverpool) - Student Representative

Vacant

Southern Highlands campus (Moss Vale) - Student Representative

Vacant

Batemans Bay campus - Student Representative

Vacant

Innovation Campus - Student Representative

Aurora Green (She/her)

LGBTIQ+ Representative

My name is Ms Aurora Green and I was elected to the Student Advisory Council as the LGBTIQ+ Student Representative. Commencing my term in early 2021. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work. The perspectives that my Social Work studies have provided, work well within the Student Advisory Council, allowing me to have a greater appreciation for the importance of LGBTIQ+ representation at UOW.

I am also a Community Leader at Kooloobong Village, also commencing this role in 2021. Being a Community Leader has been beneficial in building connections with LGBTIQ+ students to better represent their experiences. I am also registered on the Ally list as part of the UOW Ally Network, and have become more involved with the UOW LGBTIQ+ community within the Allsorts Collective.

As part of my role as an LGBTIQ+ Representative, I am focused on achieving greater consideration of LGBTIQ+ experiences within processes at UOW. Especially in areas of UOW Administration where said experiences may not be typically considered. I have also prioritised wanting to achieve greater LGBTIQ+ involvement at UOW, since a single voice cannot represent every LGBTIQ+ experience.

I greatly enjoy involvement with any type of UOW student about LGBTIQ+ experiences. With an appreciation for facilitating discussions that many people outside the LGBTIQ+ community are often nervous to engage with. I am currently working on trying to improve LGBTIQ+ accessibility to UOW services, particularly in ways that put forward the importance of respecting LGBTIQ+ identities.

Benjamin Hamill (He/him)

Clubs and Societies Representative

My name is Ben Hamill and I am one of the Clubs and Societies Representatives and Deputy Chairs of the Student Advisory Council, currently in my third year of a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree. I have a wide range of involvement outside of my positions on the Student Advisory Council, both within the university and in the broader community. With a passion for actively elevating the student voice, I seek to impact meaningful change to the benefit of student academic and social wellbeing.

Within the University, I am also the undergraduate representative on the University Education Committee and Vice President of the UOW Psychology Society. In the broader community, I am a Patrol Captain at Scarborough Wombarra SLSC, Telephone Crisis Supporter at Lifeline South Coast and is currently employed at Standby, providing suicide bereavement support. I endeavour to use my extensive background of experience to improve student access to mental health services, awareness of student support and increase the transparency of university decisions and governance. I look forward to collaboratively with the student body and university to address issues that arise in a student's university experience. I enjoy engaging with other students and is always up for a chat.

Caitlyn Moore (She/her)

Clubs and Societies Representative

My name is Caitlyn Moore and I was elected to the Student Advisory Council (SAC) as a Clubs and Societies Representative, commencing 1 January 2021. I am studying a Bachelor of Nursing and am passionate about community engagement and enhancing the university experience.

I have been involved in a variety of representative positions throughout the duration of my studies at the University of Wollongong. For the past 3 years I have represented the nursing cohort in student-staff liaison committee meetings, discussing issues pertaining to the learning experience of nursing students with key staff members within the School of Nursing. I have also held executive positions within clubs at the University of Wollongong including Vice President of the Student Nurses as Professionals (SNAP) club in 2020 and Senior Nursing representative of Student Health Alliance for Rural Populations (SHARP) club in 2021. My academic achievements and commitment to representing nursing students, I was the recipient of the School of Nursing Winifred Smith Scholarship for Excellence in Nursing in 2020. I have also been highly engaged in co-curricular activities as a highly commended UniLife volunteer in 2019 and UOWx Ambassador in 2021.

I am able to demonstrate my passion for helping others through my role as a Clubs and Societies Representative in SAC by actively engaging in discussions of issues relating to the university experience. I endeavour to continually improve the quality and success of events at the University of Wollongong and ensure the support of club executives and members to have the platform to deliver diverse opportunities for student engagement. I am open to discussing issues relating to clubs and societies, so please feel free to contact me or Benjamin Hamill if you have any questions or concerns.

Carly Lavings (She/her)

Persons with Disabilities Representative

My role is the Persons with Disabilities Representative on the Student Representative Council (SAC) and currently an acting Deputy Chair on the SAC Executive, with my term commencing in March 2021. I am currently a full-time, 2nd year student living on campus studying a Bachelor of Arts and in Western Civilisation/Bachelor of International Studies. As an extension of my membership with the SAC, I am involved in the Activation Working Party, Student Services and Amenities Fees Advisory Group, Safe and Respectful Communities Working Party and Student Mental Health Advisory Group. Outside of these commitments, I am a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish foundation and has a previous history in offering volunteer tutoring services for those with learning disabilities.

I am deeply passionate about mental health issues and ensuring that those voices of underrepresented groups is heard. I also aim to connect deeply and empathetically to the issues to that students face and not only made sure these responses are heard and acted upon but understood and validated. I am currently working on fostering a community within the university which promotes healthy, informal support to those in need. Hopefully you get to see my friendly face around campus and encourage you to approach me in person or online with concerns and questions as well as passions, interests, and ideas. My approach is to work collaboratively with others and would welcome anyone to work with me.

Keval Patel (He/him)

UOW Pulse Representative

Hi, my name is Keval Patel and I was elected as the UOW Pulse Student Director for a two-year term, commenced 1 March 2020.

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics) in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences. I hold other positions at the University such as the Chair, Pulse Advisory Committee (PAC), Vice-President of the UOW Wellbeing Club as well as Chair of the Activation Group Working Party with the SAC. I am also an Event Photographer at UOW which I really enjoy.

What I would like to achieve is to ensure the International student voice is heard, work towards increased visibility of SAC and UOW Pulse; and increase student engagement on campus.

I am passionate about learning new skills, development new contacts, photography and robotics/automation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or issues and/or ideas or initiatives you would like to be involved in.

Paris Rawaqa (She/her)

Women’s Representative

Hello my name is Paris Rawaqa and I was elected as the Women’s Representative on the Student Advisory Council in 2021. I am from Albury, NSW, and moved to Wollongong in 2018 to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental) and a Bachelor of Laws, both of which I have greatly enjoyed thus far. These degrees are beneficial to my role as a student representative as they ignite underlying passions including justice and women in STEM. These degrees also provide me with an ability to critically analyse circumstances through both the creative and logistical lenses.

I bring empathy and fairness in all of my dealings, particularly with women and other marginalised groups such as Indigenous People, International Students, Persons with Disabilities and those from the LGBTIQ+ community. As a student representative in the Student Advisory Council, and also the Pulse Advisory Committee, my biggest wish is that anybody would feel safe and happy to come and have a cup of tea and a chat with me about absolutely anything.

When not studying or working, you will find me socialising with friends, at the UniGym, at Parkrun or cooking up a storm.

Sam Jennings (He/him)

Student Residencies Representative

My name is Sam Jennings and I was originally born in England but my parents and I immigrated to Australia in 2013. I am lucky enough to be the first in my family to attend University and continue my education. I am completing a Bachelor of Medical and Health Science (Honours) this year and I have recently graduated (2020) from the Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health. In both courses, I have had a major focus on the medical side of the content, completing my research in cardiovascular physiology.

I have had a passion for rural and remote medicine that has sent me too many remote communities within Australia and in other countries as well. As such, I have held a few roles with UOW SHARP and written a few reports for the NSW Rural Doctors Network about my experiences and challenges faced within those environments. Thus, I have had a passion for having an influence in our experiences regardless if they are in the healthcare field or as UOW students. Having lived on University accommodation for 4 years now, I am excited for the opportunity to represent my friends and residents, to make the accommodation experience better each year. I have been a Student Leader at Kooloobong Village for 2 of those years and I am currently a Community Leader living at Bangalay.

Thomessia Mason

Woolyungah Indigenous Centre

Hello, my name is Thomeissa Mason and I am the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC) representative. I am a Gomeroi, Wiradjuri & Awabakal Woman in my third year of studying a Bachelor of Law – Bachelor of Arts – majoring in Indigenous Studies and minoring in Visual Arts. My role on the Student Advisory Council is to be the communication bridge between students and the university and to represent the voice of student’s in particular Indigenous students on behalf of WIC. Our voices matter, so if you have any issues or initiatives you’d like to discuss come and have a yarn with me at WIC, I’m there every day except Fridays.

Vacant

Mature Age Student Representative