AMOSSHE members have voted to elect Emma Bales (Director of Student Services, University of Cumbria) to be the Vice Chair of AMOSSHE for the 2023 to 2024 term of office.

This role became vacant because Kirsteen Coupar, who was appointed to the role of Vice Chair in May 2023, stepped down from the role.

In the spring Emma was elected as an Executive Member for two years, so this role became vacant when when she was elected as Vice Chair. Therefore Paul Rossi (University of the Arts London) has become an Executive Member for two years (he was originally elected for a one year term).

Congratulations to Emma, and thank you to all the nominees for taking part in the election. Here’s Emma’s nomination statement:

Having worked in higher education student support services for over 20 years, I am currently the Director of Student Services at the University of Cumbria. I have been a member of the AMOSSHE Executive team since July 2021. I am standing for election as Vice Chair as I would welcome the opportunity to apply my higher education, leadership, and governance experience in the Vice Chair role.

As a Director in a university with a strong widening participation mission, AMOSSHE’s vision, mission and values resonate strongly with me, reflecting my own values and my leadership approach. I recognise and appreciate the power of sharing best practice, collaborating with, and learning from, colleagues across the sector and, as importantly, ensuring the student voice is reflected in the design and delivery of our services.

Over the last two years on the Executive team I have contributed to the work of AMOSSHE by:

• Co-leading the 2022 Winter Conference (Healthy Lifestyles).

• Co-designing and leading online continuing professional development events with a particular focus on career development.

• Representing AMOSSHE in the sector including on the ANUK/UNIPOL Committee of Management and the Universities UK Accredited Code of Practice (for the management of residential accommodation) Sector Advisory group and Governance Board.

• Co-leading the planning for the 2023 National Conference (Inclusivity and Making Connections).

I have also been actively engaged in the development and delivery of the Resources workstream of AMOSSHE’s strategic plan and the Professional Recognition and Career Development Project.

In working with the National Office, the Chair, and the wider Executive team my priorities as Vice Chair would be to:

• Support the co-ordination of the delivery of our priority projects through the final year of our 2019-2024 strategic plan.

• Support the Chair in leading the refresh of the AMOSSHE strategy, ensuring that through appropriate membership and stakeholder engagement the future strategic development of AMOSSHE aligns with the needs of our diverse membership.

• Work collaboratively with the Vice Chair (Operations), National Office and wider Executive team to further develop and implement the Professional Recognition and Career Development Project to raise the profile of the value of Student Services in the sector and ensure our members have access to impactful and inclusive professional development pathways.

If I were successful in being elected as Vice Chair, I would consider it a privilege to work alongside the Chair, Executive and National Office to deliver impactful strategic priorities for our members and to represent Student Services in the sector.

Find out more about the 2023 Executive elections: AMOSSHE elects new Executive Committee members for 2023-2025.

Find out more about the AMOSSHE Executive Committee.