Meet your Student Experience Officer at EKC Sheppey College

Ellie is your Student Experience Officer at EKC Sheppey College.

She is here to make your College experience fun, with events, trips and enrichment opportunities, so that you create great memories whilst you study.

She also oversees the Students’ Union, which you can become involved with.  

We sat down with Ellie to find out a little bit more about her and what she gets up to in her role. 

What made you become Student Experience Officer?

“I applied for the role because I was coming towards the end of my university degree and I didn’t want a boring 9-to-5 style job.

“I wanted something where I could be creative and help people. I read the job description, and it fitted those values. I knew the role would also help kids in the area and allow me to make a difference to their lives.”

What sort of exciting things have you got planned over the next year?

“My main idea is to get regular events in, rather than one-off big events.

“For example, I want to establish a fortnightly breakfast pop-up, and I want to get an established football team going, where they carry on year after year. I envision matches to take place against a different College at the end of each term.

“I’d also love to just celebrate a wide range of different awareness weeks and days, to get people talking about a variety of different things.”

How do you think you’ve made an impact in your role so far?

“I’ve not been here long because I started at the end of the last academic year, but I think I’ve made an impact with the Student Awards, by celebrating the students who were leaving us and getting ready for the next stage in their lives.

“Although I didn’t know them as well as other staff members did, hearing the things that they’ve accomplished, I knew that I needed to celebrate them properly and I think I did that.

“I just love to put on good events, which are fun and engaging and just get the students smiling.”

Why should someone get involved with the Student Experience side of College?

“I think they should get involved because ultimately, I do this job for them to make a difference to their College experience, even if it’s just for an hour of their day.

“My role is focused on that side of College life outside of the classroom. I try to do stuff that is different and stuff that they want to do. If the students aren’t involved, then it’s hard for me to action the things they want.

“I’m just trying to make their experience as fun and memorable as possible.”

If you had one bit of advice for a new student, what might that be?

“I would say just get involved as much as possible. Get involved in the events, the talks that we have, the celebration days.

“Some students are here for one year, some are here for two, maybe even three. So, I’d say, be a sponge and just take as much information and knowledge in as you can.”

Where can students find you in College? 

“You can find me in the Student Centre, which is located on the ground floor, just by Reception.

“You can also send me a message on Teams or by email.”

Thanks to Ellie for speaking with us. If you’re excited about the many opportunities that College can offer, learn more about what life is like studying at EKC Sheppey College.