Luana Vasconcelos
VP Voice
About Me
I'm a Surrey graduate with an English Literature with Creative Writing BA. I'm also an international student from Brazil. I love representing students and I’m passionate about making sure that you are having the best Surrey Life!
Since I joined in 2020, I have volunteered as a Course Rep, Voice Zone Officer, Society Signatory and Wellbeing Champion. I also worked as a Head Rep, Peer Supporter and International Student Ambassador. Hopefully this shows my commitment to helping others and working in a team to improve the student experience.
It has been an honour to represent our students as your VP Voice last year. I've enjoyed working with our Course Reps and Head Reps, and look forward to meeting our new reps in 25-26. My priorities for this year include expanding opportunities to connect with you and celebrate your achievements, ensuring every student knows how hard you're working!
I've also appreciated working with our societies, student volunteers and the Student Equality Network to celebrate diversity and lived experience. We've hosted many Student Curator Projects in 24-25 to celebrate important campaigns like Black History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Disability & Neurodiversity Awareness Month and Women's History Month. Here is to many more student led projects and celebrations in 25-26!
I'm always happy to hear from students about your experiences, positive and negative, so we can work on making improvements to ensure everyone feels supported and like they belong at Surrey.
My Objectives
- Developing and celebrating Course Reps
In Progress
I want to improve how we celebrate the achievements of our Course Rep and enhance your employability. My strategies include regularly sharing Course Rep wins on our website and social media, expanding Course Rep of the Month, hosting our annual Course Rep Awards Ceremony and introducing exclusive workshops focused on professional development.
- Celebrating student diversity and lived experience
In Progress
I want to collaborate with Sabbs, societies, student volunteers and the Student Equality Network to expand our Lived Experience Project. I will lead our Awareness Campaigns which are focused on equality, diversity and inclusivity. For example: Black History Month, Disability & Neurodivergence Awareness Month, LGBTQ+ History Month and Women's History Month.
- Empowering students and maximising their influence
I want to empower students to influence the Union and the University, having their say on significant decisions and changes. Strategies include: ensuring the Student Voice Forum pre-set agenda is student-led, increasing student engagement with Union Forum and expanding Speak Week activities to maximise your opportunities to share feedback.
- Connecting International Students
I want to work with our International Students Subnetwork Leader to host regular, targeted events focused on building a sense of community and belonging for international students. For instance, re-establishing International Meet & Greet, International Students' Day Celebration, International Nights at Rubix, getting involved with One World Week, etc.
- Improving Disability & Neurodivergence Support at Surrey
I want to carry on my work to support disabled and/or neurodiverse students, collaborating with our Disability & Neurodiversity Subnetwork Leader, the VP Support and Disability & Neuroinclusion Team to host regular events and empower your voices. I also want to work with the University of improving staff training on disability so they can support you better.
- Improving links with PGR Reps
I want to improve my connection with our PGR Reps by arranging regular meeting with our SEF Chairs (PGR Head Reps) and hosting PGR Rep Socials in collaboration with Postgrad Society.
- Empowering Society Signatories
I want to work with society signatories as student representatives, empowering them to escalate feedback and influence decision making. My main goal relates to Society Standings, and having space in the monthly meetings for discussion around important issues that affect student life.
- Empowering Head Reps
I want to improve the connection between our Head Reps and Sabbatical Officers so we can maximise the power of student representation. I also intend to connect our Head Reps with Senior University leadership via our Head Rep Updates meeting, where members of Executive Board attend and provide their own updates.