WASS Student Ambassadors
Get involved
We collaborate closely with students from the University of Hertfordshire to design and deliver programmes that are engaging, meaningful and impactful. We encourage students to get involved and take on vital roles within the team. Your input matters. Discover how you can inspire others to reach their full potential by checking out the roles below.
Inspire primary & secondary aged pupils by sharing your University experience...
Make a difference to the experience of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students in higher education...
Help us deliver our programmes and gain skills in administration, marketing and event organisation...
Widening Access and Student Success (WASS) ambassadors play a key role in helping participants to become fully aware of their capacity to succeed in education. You'll help them to gain a realistic, but ambitious, insight into the range of opportunities available. Ambassadors can provide a relatable and transformative experience for the learners who attend our programmes.
As a WASS ambassador, your work is mainly focused on children and young people. You'll be involved in informing and advising participants about higher education. It's important that our ambassadors understand some of the barriers our learners may face, both now and in the future.
Student ambassadors represent the University of Hertfordshire and promote a positive view of higher education as a whole. Ambassadors are recruited at the start of each new academic year, based on the needs of the programmes we run.
Key benefits:
- gain experience of working with primary and secondary aged students
- great training and personal development opportunities
- develop leadership, presentation and communication skills
- be a role model to aspiring university students.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more about becoming a WASS ambassador, please email Nick Howell.
A life-changing experience that opens doors to new experiences, supported by a team that treats you like family.
Jay, ambassador
How informative and useful it was and getting to talk to the current and ex university students
Year 12 student, Wayfinder Day
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Student Advocates
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student advocates support and inspire students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and help the University to further understand their experiences. They also work within academic schools and departments to help staff improve inclusive practices. We recruit at the beginning of each academic year, offering a one year contract. In some cases, this may be extended.
We actively encourage applications from students from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds.
Over the past two years our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student advocates have:
- led our annual Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Careers events including Q&A panels, employability sessions and motivational talks for over 300 students
- supported the creation of events to inspire Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Students’ success e.g. “Dorm room to board room” panel
- conducted focus groups to gain feedback from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students on their experience
- helped academic departments gain an understanding of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students at the University
- worked with our schools to decolonise the curriculum
- guided the decision-making process for initiatives for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students, including actively participating in the University’s Black, Asian and Minority Ehnic Student Success Working Group
- contributed campaign ideas, including to the Students’ Union’s ‘Rise Up’ campaign.
Key benefits:
- learn how to work within a complex organisation
- receive great training and personal development opportunities
- develop leadership, presentation and communication skills
- make a difference to the experience of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students in higher education.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student advocate, please email Shanara Hibbert.
Institutional activities to address the awarding gap have tended to focus on staff development and it had been a challenge to achieve real student engagement. The ‘student voice’ was missing in much of our activities. The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student advocates have facilitated conversations about issues of race in a very constructive manner enabling better understanding of student perspectives and lived experiences.
Cage Boons, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student advocate
Placement student
Every year we welcome a level 5 student to join the team to complete their placement year. They help to deliver the Widening Access and Student Success programmes, supporting the administration, organisation and marketing of a variety of projects and events. The role is varied, from data entry and analysis to social media marketing. We'll encourage you to contribute to new ideas and initiatives too!
Key benefits:
- gain experience of working in a dynamic team
- receive great training and personal development opportunities
- develop strong organisation, evaluation and communication skills.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more about becoming a placement student please email the team.
Widening Access and Student Success has been an amazing placement! The team was very helpful and supportive throughout the year and they made me feel part of the team. I have been involved in many amazing events, projects and training where I have built an excellent skillset for my degree study of Event Management and Tourism.
Jekaterina Zevnovataja (Kate), placement student