MEET THE SU TEAM
Over the Summer, it’s time for us as a Students’ Union to reflect on the year that’s just been, prepare to welcome new and current students to Aber in September and put plans in place for a full events and activity programme for 2020-2021.
The summer months are also a time to welcome and train new officer teams in readiness for the year ahead. Supporting the officer team are a family of SU staff working behind the scenes to ensure Aberystwyth students have the opportunity to love student life and be ready for anything.
We would love to take the opportunity over the next few months to introduce our AberSU family – who are all here for you if you need help, advice or a chat.
Spotlight on Martin Dodd – Student Support and Representation Manager
Where is home?
Aberystwyth, but culturally North West England and spiritually travelling Europe
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Originally from the North West of England with strong northern roots I moved to Aber in late 2016. I’m an experienced hand when it comes to working in Students’ Unions and am very passionate about their value and many of the societal issues they deal with.
Outside of work, what are your favourite pastimes or hobbies?
Enjoy watching most sport and like to travel where able. When not travelling out of Aber, I can often be found walking along the prom or out towards Blaendolau. Have a secret passions for city architecture, transport systems (yes, trains and underground systems) and theme parks. Occasional gamer.
What do you love about working in Aberystwyth?
Being by the sea.
If you weren’t in your SU role…what would you be?
Social Worker; amazingly, a month before starting as a staff member, I was due to start a MA in Social Work at the same institution that I secured my first Students’ Union role.
What part(s) of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working with individuals or small groups of students for prolonged periods and seeing their personal growth in that time; most often to the benefit of the wider student body.
Before working here, have you had much involvement with the students’ union or student groups?
Yes; previous Officer and Staff member elsewhere, but initially during my degree disengaged from the Union until my second year when a close friend and Men’s Basketball Committee member ran for Clubs and Socs Officer and encouraged me to go for Entertainments Officer as a volunteer.
Summer isn’t ‘quiet time’ for Students’ Unions…what are you going to be busy working on over the Summer?
My role supports the induction of the new Officer team, as well as preparing training for a variety of volunteers before term starts, as well as being the Union’s representative on the University’s Welcome Planning group.