Your Name

Jill Stevens

Your Degree Programme

BA Multimedia Journalism

Programme Level..?

under-graduate

How many years of volunteering with the Students’ Association?

4 years

Tell us about the role(s) you were/ are involved in?

I joined the News Team at Radio Caley in first year of university. In second year I was promoted to Head of News and began running the news team as well as making decisions with the Radio Caley committee.

In fourth year I returned from a year abroad in Canada and ran for the position of GCU Women’s Officer. Through my role I was able to set up a women’s group called the Caledonian Women. Together we ran campaigns for #FreePeriods, I Heart Consent, and I Am A Leader. We fought for the right to have a Gender & Sexuality Safe Space on campus to provide a safe meeting place for marginalised groups. We ran a Safe Space celebration evening with women and LGBT+ performers, and displayed art from a sexual abuse survivors group. We held events for women professionals to give leadership talks to students at our university. We attended NUS conferences across the UK, presented awards at the Outstanding Women of Scotland Awards, and represented GCU at Reclaim The Night Glasgow. Through my activities as Women’s Officer, I was able to garner support and run in the election for NUS Scotland Women’s Officer (a full-time paid position in the National Union of Students). The experience and contacts I gained from my involvement with the SA has been invaluable for my career. I now run my own online magazine called FeminiSco which focusses on Scotland from a feminist perspective. In my opinion, getting involved with the Students’ Association was as equally valuable for my career as getting good grades and attending classes!

How did you first get involved or how did you find out about it?

I first got involved with the Students’ Association when a few of my journalism friends wanted to join the Radio Caley News Team and I decided that it appealed to me as well. I had never done radio before and was scared of my own voice! But I ended up winning the Best Female Voice at the Radio Caley Awards that year.

Why did you decide to be involved?

I wanted to be part of something more and to escape the routine of going to class then returning to halls. I wanted journalism experience and to meet new people.

What difference has it made to your university experience being a volunteer?

The majority of my university friends were those I met at the Students’ Association as I didn’t click with many people in my course. I found the SA to be the perfect place to meet people with similar interests. As soon as I began immersing myself in liberation campaigns and student politics, I found a place where I could be myself and make a difference.