Meet Your FTO – VP SHLS Jennifer Abali

Newly appointed Vice President of Health and Life Sciences Jennifer Abali has now started her post as Full Time Officer, after being elected in the 2022 Student’s Association elections.

We spoke to Jennifer about her plans for the year ahead, her excitement at the pandemic being over and… her love of Ed Sheeran!

How did it feel to get elected?
Honestly, it felt so good. Basically, it was just me deciding to step out of my comfort zone and at least make a difference, and it worked!  I was really happy when I got the news.

What aspect of the role excites you the most?
The part of this role that excites me the most is the fact that I am more like a middle man/person between the students and the school authorities, hence the communication gap can be bridged. I know how it feels not being able to communicate to the school authorities as a student and I am looking forward to listening to all suggestions and passing them down to the right authorities.

Is there anything in particular you want to achieve this year? 
Yes! I am very much interested in the mental health and wellbeing aspect of students and, as much as I am aware that this is a really huge area, I am looking forward to creating more awareness about the mental health support programmes available at GCU and also developing ideas for students’ cultural events. I think this will improve mental health as well as enhance multicultural diversity because all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

What will you bring to the role of VP?
As someone who understands that communication is relevant to solving problems and who is keen about bridging the communication gap between students and the school authorities, I will work with my team towards the best interest of the students. I look forward to scheduling meetings with students where we can discuss key issues and address various challenges affecting them.

With the pandemic now at an end, how excited are you to see more students on campus this year?
I cannot really explain the level of excitement because I can count the number of times I was on campus during term time (obviously, not much). Not seeing students on campus makes you ask yourself whether you are in a school environment and it is really boring, I must say. I am indeed very excited that I will get to see more students on campus and have the chance to interact with them too.

Getting to know you...

Place of birth?
Rivers State, Nigeria

Favourite food?
Fried ripe plantains and any good sauce (never goes bad with ripe plantains).

Your dream holiday?
Somewhere in Paris

If you could go to dinner with one celebrity, who would it be?
Ed Sheeran, definitely. His songs give me goose bumps and I would definitely ask him to sing for me.

By Ross Clark      
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media here