REPRESENTATION

Jack Oates Pryor (they/he)

Howdy guys, gals and non-binary pals,

I’m Jack, a third-year Arts (majoring in Theatre Performance and in German) and Laws student, who loves good chats with friends, jazz film scores, and hiking in Tassie’s beautiful wilderness.

As your TUSA President and chair of the State Council for 2025, I see that my elected role entails two key strands: advocacy and action. I am an empathetic, caring advocate for your needs, and an effective liaison with the University bureaucracy. I bring to this role a particular enthusiasm for empowering student leaders and experience advocating student voice as the 2024 TUSA Southern Campuses President.

As one of the elected student representatives this year, Jack’s primary role is to represent students, so please feel welcome to contact them with any concerns, ideas, issues, or questions you may have, at: president@tusa.utas.edu.au or (+61) 434 813 863. Take care, I look forward to seeing you around soon.

Belle Smith (she/her)

Mark Warrington (he/him)

Hello everyone! I’m Mark Warrington (he/him), your Equity President for 2025. I’m honoured to continue representing the diverse voices and experiences within our university community. Currently, I’m in the third year of the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, majoring in Governance. I have a lived experience with vision and hearing impairment (Usher Syndrome Type 2A) and am a proud member of the Queer community.

As a mature-age student, I bring a wealth of experience to my role. My background spans careers in the Agricultural Service sector and over two decades working with Indigenous Australians in various capacities, including managing businesses and ensuring food security through the Australian Public Service. My passion lies in creating systems that support vulnerable community members, believing that inclusivity benefits everyone.

2024 Highlights

This inaugural year for the Equity Committee has been transformative. As Chair, I am proud to have led a team of dedicated Equity Officers who:

• Advocated for Disability Inclusion: Played a pivotal role in ensuring a student voice in the redevelopment of UTAS’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).
• Raised awareness of critical issues affecting international students: Organized impactful events and raised awareness of critical issues affecting international students and other marginalised groups.
• Promoted Distance and Online Student Representation: Initiated forums and discussions for remote students, who make up a significant portion of UTAS’s student body.
• Built Community Through Events: Hosted successful initiatives like the Diwali/Tihar celebration and supported cultural and equity-focused activities.

Plans for 2025

Looking ahead, I am committed to building on the successes of 2024 with the following key initiatives:

• TUSA Reconciliation Action Plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to support First Nations students.
• Advocacy for a New UTAS DIAP: Ensure the revised plan reflects the evolving needs of students with disabilities.
• Expansion of the Equity Committee: Introduce a new Carer Equity Officer to better represent student carers.
• Strengthening Reporting and Processes: Enhance mechanisms to address student issues promptly and streamline committee operations for future leaders.
• Partnerships for Equity: Collaborate with the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commission and other stakeholders to support students facing systemic barriers.

Creating an inclusive and equitable university remains my utmost passion. I am committed to ensuring every student has a voice and feels supported during their academic journey.

As your Equity President, I am approachable and dedicated to advocacy. Please reach out at equity.president@tusa.utas.edu.au if you have any concerns or ideas to share. Let’s continue to work together to make UTAS a place where everyone belongs!

Siska-Lut Buelens (she/her)

Hi everyone!

I am Siska, your Undergraduate Education President for 2025. I’m in my third year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in physics and mathematics. Outside of studying, you will find me hiking, painting, or enjoying a cup of tea with friends.

While my role focuses on academics, I realize a successful university experience goes beyond what happens in the (virtual) classroom. Students need easy access to appropriate support, whether academic, financial, medical, or psychological.

As your elected Undergraduate President, I get a seat on meetings where key decisions impacting our education get made, ensuring our student perspectives are heard. To do this, I would love to hear your insights into your cohort or discipline and learn about the main issues impacting you.

There is also an opportunity for me to raise student concerns and propose solutions. Whether you have a broad concern about your education at UTAS, a course- or unit-specific issue, or would like to share any thoughts or ideas, please reach out to me so we can look at our options together at Undergrad.President@TUSA.utas.edu.au.

Namesh Kumar (he/him)

Hey Everyone,

I’m Namesh, your Education President for 2025. I’m dedicated to ensuring your postgraduate journey at UTAS is enriching, supportive, and successful.

My priorities are championing your well-being by advocating for increased mental health resources and fostering a strong postgraduate community that supports it. Amplifying your voice by ensuring your perspectives are heard on key university committees and in decisions that affect your academic experience. Working towards increasing Higher Degrees with Research stipends, improving financial support for all postgraduate students, and ensuring that all postgraduate students, including those in Master’s and Honours programs, feel valued and included in our university community.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, I encourage you to reach out to me at  Postgrad.President@TUSA.utas.edu.au.

Ruby Fox (she/her)

Hey everyone!

I’m Ruby (she/her) and I am your 2025 Southern Campuses President. I’m currently in my last year of a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, majoring in Marine and Antarctic Governance and Marine Biology. Needless to say, I’m incredibly passionate about all things sustainability and environment.

But, more importantly, I’m passionate about the student experience at UTAS here in Hobart. From our Law and Arts students at Sandy Bay Campus, to our Medical Science students at Menzies and Music students at the Hedberg, I’m here to ensure all our voices are heard.

In this busy time of Campus changes and wider geopolitical uncertainty, I understand how easy it is to feel lost within the system. This year I hope to work closely with the University, TUSA and our Clubs and Societies to ensure that no-one slips through the cracks, and the services we pay for are widely acknowledged and accessible.

So please, reach out to me with any concerns and queries regarding your student experience here in Hobart. My email is: southern.president@tusa.utas.edu.au. I’m always happy for a chat, to advocate for you and to point you in the right direction. Here’s to a great year in 2025!

Hanna Shojaee Pour (she/her)

Hanna’s bio is currently in the works – but that doesn’t mean she isn’t around to chat! If you have an issue you’d like to contact her about, you can reach her at northern.president@tusa.utas.edu.au.

Angus Bisset Stewart (he/him)

G’day!

I’m Angus, I’m currently in my 3rd year of my Bachelor of Nursing Degree at Cradle Coast Campus.

I enjoy Sport (Catch me at Burnie Parkrun!), Patting as many dogs as possible, Computers, 2-minute noodles the outdoors.

As your Cradle Coast President, it is my aim to advocate for students in the Cradle coast area. I am very motivated to make sure our Regions voice is heard loud and clear and that students are not left behind. I am also a member of DisCo (disability Collective of Students Identifying with Disabilities and Diverse Health Conditions) and as such accessibility is very important to me. I understand the difficulties of accessing tailored support whilst at university. If you have any thoughts on how your university experience at Cradle Coast Campus could be improved, I would love to hear from you.

I understand that asking for help can be daunting at times but fear not, I am friendly and approachable so please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have plenty of experience with university bureaucracy so please reach out with any concerns regarding your university experience on the cradle coast.

You can contact me at cradlecoast.president@tusa.utas.edu.au

Jack Bell (he/him)

To all fellow Rozellians!

I’m Jack Bell, your friendly neighbourhood Campus President for 2025 on the Rozelle side of Tasmania, in the traffic biome of Sydney. My aims are in number, and they start with you, the students, lecturers… and posties, so please reach out if you have any campus concerns or innovative ideas!

I want to revitalise the campus with a sense of community, inclusivity, financial equity, and sustainability, so am on a mission to advocate for Rozelle!

These include:

• In areas of food security
• Facilitating regular sport/leisure activities
• and more!

By more, I mean, my virtual door is always open for new suggestions. Even if you just want to organise an on-campus event like I don’t know, bring your dog to Uni day, let me know and maybe we can make that happen!

In addition, if you need any support at all for personal/social/financial or university issues in any form (no judgement here), feel free to get in touch and hopefully, I can forward you on to an appropriate person/service… or advocate on your behalf, where possible, to make sure your voice is heard!

And Please please please™ get in touch if you want to establish a club, because it would be great to have a bit more of them around campus!

We love autonomy in the Rozelle College of Health and Medicine, so you can choose how you want to reach out!

By email: rozelle.president@tusa.utas.edu.au

By number: 03 6226 8495

By F2FM (face to face message – the alternative to DMs) if you see me on campus

Chloe Harris – State Council Executive Assistant/Campaign Manager (she/they)

Chloe has been selected by the State Council to support them in the implementation of campaigns on key issues faced by students. Here’s a bit about Chloe:

As the Executive Assistant/Campaign Coordinator, I support the State Council in the execution of their student-focused projects. I’m responsible for managing most of what you see on the TUSA State Council social media pages. I ensure that students are aware of who the State Council members are and what they are working on. I collaborate with the State Council to share the messages they want students to know and keep them informed about how their State Council is supporting them.

In addition to this role, I’m also in my final year of a Bachelor of Arts and Business, which keeps me quite busy. However, when I do find some free time, I enjoy reading, writing, playing video games, and getting out in nature. If you happen to see me around, don’t hesitate to say hi!