Northern Ireland Student Executive (NISE)

PRESIDENT

My name is Lauren Bond and I’m currently in Year 14, studying Classical Civilisation, History, RE and English. I’ve served as SSUNI’s International National Officer for three terms and am excited to be returning for a fourth year, in my new role as President. A highlight of my time within SSUNI has been authoring the Let Us Learn Report and I can’t wait to continue championing change through our Future of Education project this year. Additionally I’m involved in the UK Youth Parliament, NICCY, I Will and was recognised by King Charles for my services to the community in 2023.

president@ssuni.org

HONORARY PRESIDENT

My name is Ellen Taylor and I’m currently in my first year of university, studying History and Politics at Oxford.  I joined SSUNI as part of the Shared Education Working Group in 2021 and was then Community Relations Officer from 2021-2023 and President of the 2023/24 Executive. I am looking forward to serving in my new position of Honorary President now I have left secondary education. I can’t wait to work with the incoming executive as they continue to represent Northern Irish students and will provide them with any advice they need.

VICE PRESIDENT

My name is Genevieve Mc Collum and I am in Year 14 and currently studying Politics, Sociology, Drama and Spanish for A-level, with the hope of studying LLaw with politics at university next year. I had the priviledge of serving as Equality Ofiicer last year, and am so excited to serve as Vice- President this year. My main focus this year will be leading and supporting the Feminist Society in all of their work and campaigns.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICER

I’m Ryan Kearney, I’m 16 and from Omagh in West Tyrone. I am delighted to be serving as International Officer for the 2024-2025 Executive. I previously held the role of Secretary and first joined SSUNI through the LLW Working Group. I joined SSUNI as I was passionate about advocating for change in our education system and representing students from NI. This year I am eager to focus on issues affecting new students in NI and learn about the support available from schools and other organisations, as well as representing SSUNI with OBESSU and other international organisations and unions. I have represented the constituency of West Tyrone as the Youth MP from 2022 and serve on the NIYF Executive Committee.

EDUCATION OFFICER

My name is Lucia Best and I’m a Year 14 student studying Physics, Maths and Spanish. I’m thrilled to be serving as the Education Officer for the Executive this year. I’m particularly passionate about modern languages and enhancing their part within the curriculum. Through my role, I want to ensure that students have a voice in shaping how languages are taught in our schools. Additionally, I’m committed to advancing gender equity in education and promoting sustainability within our school systems, aiming to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking environment.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER

My name is Emmet Carlile and I am currently a lower sixth student, studying English, History, Politics and Economics. I am delighted to be joining the SSUNI executive this year as Community Relations Officer. I will work to help foster and improve relations, with a particular focus on promoting tolerance and understanding between people from all communities and backgrounds, by advocating for improved Shared Education programmes within the curriculum

STUDENT VOICE OFFICER

My name is Tom and I am currently an upper-sixth student, studying Biology, Chemistry, and Art with the hopes of studying medicine . Within my school, I am a well-being ambassador as well as a member of the Action Mental Health Youth Core Panel. Over the past year, I was SSUNI’s Mental Health Officer which allowed me to continuously advocate for students’ voices to be heard. I’m excited to work hard on projects to help amplify and represent the students of Northern Ireland Voices.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

My name is Gráinne Hollywood and I’m currently a student in Year 14, studying English, History, Politics and Spanish at A2, with the hope of studying Spanish with Linguistics at university next year. I was honoured to be SSUNI’s Education Officer last year, and I am delighted to have moved to the role of Communications Officer this year. I’m looking forward to working closely with other members of the executive this year to boost their work and the profile of SSUNI overall, ensuring we can advocate for students as effectively as possible. I’m pleased to have already had several articles written about SSUNI’s activities this year and hope to keep up the momentum to raise publicity on issues we’re prioritising such as LLW Reform and the Modern Languages Curriculum.

SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER

My name is Malachy Tohill and I am the sustainability officer for SSUNI for 2024/25. I am currently in year 13, studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry and PE for my A levels, with the hopes of becoming an engineer. My main aim for this year is to help introduce more teaching of sustainable practices in stem subjects such as physics and technology. This will allow students to see the opportunities available to help facilitate the drive to net 0.

SECRETARY

My name is Conor Hughes-Johnston, a lower sixth student studying Math, Economics, Environmental Technology, and Business Studies. This year, I’m excited to serve as the secretary for the SSUNI executive, where I’ll be responsible for taking minutes, participating in executive meetings, and fostering student engagement with SSUNI. Additionally, I’m involved with NICCY YP, NIYF groups, and the Politics in Action Votes@16 initiative. I'm interested in Learning for Life and Work and its integration into our education system. As a new member of the Let Us Learn campaign, I am dedicated to ensuring that students’ voices are heard regarding their education.

MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER

Hi! My name is Emer Rooney and I’m in Year 14 , where I am currently studying Business, English and History. As Mental Health Officer this year with SSUNI I hope that in the year ahead I can work to make a difference and lead successful programs, particularly our work with the Northern Ireland Youth Forum.  My goal also is to make people feel comfortable in knowing that with me they have someone that they can speak to, someone who will listen to what they need to say and someone who will support them as best they can.

EQUALITY OFFICER

My name is Ciara Murray and I am in year 13 currently studying Geography Biology Irish and Art for A-level. I’ll be the Equality officer and I’m looking forward to getting involved in my work with the Feminist Society this year, with my aim of working to promote equality within school councils and the education system as a whole, to ensure that every student’s voice is heard equally as loudly and treated with respect, irrespective of their identity, beliefs or background.