Meet Our Reps
2023 SCC/UNESC Representatives
Evie Levens
Chair and Online Representative
Hello! I'm Evie, the UNESC Chair and an online student and representative from Melbourne. I have been a workplace union delegate, an animal rights and welfare advocate, and have plenty of experience, informal and formal, in supporting my fellow UNE students over the years.
I studied Latin and Ancient History at UNE in 2009-10, and returned in 2019 to study for my Bachelor of Psychology with Honours. I'm now doing my Masters in Applied Linguistics - a gap-year from my psychology studies.
I'm excited to be chairing the UNESC and look forward to engaging with students to understand and advocate for their needs. Get in touch! I am here to listen - and to help.
Amanda Letcher
Deputy Chair and Accessibility Representative
I'm Amanda Letcher; I am currently studying Clinical Exercise Physiology and I am the university's ambassador for our governing body Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). I have lived in 3 states during my studies as an online student; I have a great understanding of the challenges online students face, especially those who need to travel for intensives.
I also have experience in advocating for students who require assistance to access their education. My main goal for the next year is to improve accessibility and inclusion within the University grounds and for online students.
Emma Wellham
UNE Council Representative and former Chair
Hi! My name is Emma and I am in my final year of my Bachelor of Medical Science, Doctor of Medicine, based in Maitland, NSW. Over the last 4 years I have had a mix of living and studying on campus at UNE, studying at Tamworth and studying online from my home town of Lake Macquarie.
I’m looking forward to seeing what we, the UNESC, can accomplish for our fellow students this year as we continue to provide a unified voice and represent our diverse student body. My aim is to establish this committee as a core area of the university, so students understand what we do, and to help every student feel valued, supported and heard.
Chris Hvass
College Representative
I have lived in a residential college for numerous years and have a keen understanding of on-campus life. I started my time here at UNE with a Bachelor of Agriculture, then moved on to study a Master of Environmental Science and Management, all the while being heavily involved in the Residential Leadership program and on-campus life.
My main goal in the UNESC is to use my appreciation for the on-campus lifestyle and my desire to contribute to my local community to help provide the UNE student body with a place to be heard and feel valued.
Tashi Dema
International Representative
Hi, I am Tashi, your international student representative. I am from Bhutan, a tiny country in the Himalayas and I study on Campus in Armidale.
I practised journalism for more than 17 years and have a wide range of experience on reporting and writing news articles. My goal in 2023 is to try reporting and writing in academic field and report students’ matters.
Shay Coulson
Indigenous Representative
My name is Shay Coulson. I am a Goojinburra woman current in my third year of medicine at UNE. My background in health education, research and First Nations student support and advocacy.
My goal for this year is to strengthen First Nations student support by fostering connection and collaboration.
Anais Bleasdale
Indigenous Representative
Hi! My name is Anaïs and I am a proud Birpai woman, studying a Bachelor of Psychology! I’m one of this year's Indigenous Student Representatives, and have just transitioned from being an on-campus student to being an online student.
I’m an avid reader, love the beach, and am always happy to have a chat! I’m excited to hopefully talk to you soon!
Jerusha Hackworth
M&H Faculty Representative
I’m Jerusha. I’ve been studying various things over the last 10 (or so) years including a masters in creative writing, a TESOL certificate, and I completed a PhD at UNE in 2021 focusing on women’s education in Sierra Leone. But healthcare was always a dream. So, I started studying UNE’s Bachelor of Nursing degree online in 2023. I am currently also the online Year 1 student representative for the Bachelor of Nursing, and highly value being able to help students.
Through UNE’s Student Council, I hope I will continue to be able to help students feel heard and understood. I have a particular interest in helping those whose voices don’t often get heard and those who don’t always feel they can be a voice. I’m here because I want to listen!
I’m also trying to write a book in my spare time. It’s not going well…
William Li
Online Representative
G'day! I'm William, and it's a privilege to serve you as an Online Representative. I'm from Western Sydney. I'm studying postgraduate chemistry coursework. I started studying at UNE in February 2023 and is my first time studying a degree online. I enjoyed being involved in the student community during my previous studies and looking forward to doing it again at UNE.
I seek to use my experience to help SCC grow and contribute to its initiatives in order to enhance our student experience. I understand that being an online student who needs to travel to Armidale for intensives is a pretty big commitment.
I'm willing to start a conversation with you to understand your needs, represent you and see how we can make your uni life easier.
Sharada Niraula
Sydney Campus Representative
Namaste. Born and raised in Nepal, I am a driven and compassionate individual who is dedicated to making a difference in the world. As a young child, I was deeply inspired by the selflessness and dedication of healthcare workers, which ultimately led me to pursue a degree in nursing.
Apart from my interest in healthcare, I am also passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion. As an international student myself, I understand the unique challenges and experiences that come with being a part of a multicultural community, and I am committed to advocating for the needs and concerns of international students.
Hilary Mackay
Postgraduate Representative
Hello! My name is Hilary Mackay and I am the postgrad rep. I have started my postgraduate journey in Archaeology, which is very exciting and daunting. I am Uralla born and bred, I went to school here and I am doing my uni here too. That hasn't stopped me travelling, I have visited more than 20 countries so far and I hope to keep going. Luckily, my postgrad studies will let me do this.
My goal for my time with the committee is to bring more postgraduate students together and to help as many students get as many opportunities as possible. I would love students to feel a sense of community, feel heard and appreciated, while also helping them feel as supported as possible.
Sebastian Battersby
Town Representative
Hey! I'm Sebastian, your Town Representative for the UNESC 2023. I am currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and Philosophy. I spent the past 3 years living in Brisbane after finishing school right here in Armidale. Being a born and raised local, I realise after living in the city that Armidale provides a close-knit community feel where you can walk down the street and say hello to everyone you pass. My goal at the SCC as your Town Rep is to help build a better connection between the university and the people of Armidale, and to be a voice for both our communities.
Kristy Sillman
Online Representative
Hi, my name is Kristy, and I am your online representative from sunny Brisbane. I am currently completing my legal studies and have been an online student with UNE since November 2021. What drove me to studying law was this crazy desire to become a solicitor, after having worked within my chosen field for the last 23 years. Online study has been an amazing way to balance my work responsibilities, study load and live performance addiction.
The issue of representation is a live one in our world today and impacts on many levels. It is an exciting time to be joining the SCC. This team has a passionate dedication to improving the student experience at UNE and I look forward to making my mark, expanding connections, awareness and advocating for students from 2023 onwards.
Amber Cook
Online Representative
Born and raised in Canberra, I always thrived in school but never got around to returning after my “gap year” and started a career in the public sector. Around a decade after finishing Year 12, I decided to take the plunge and start a Bachelor of Science degree part-time. I found studying online to be the best option to work around my day job and UNE had the best reputation for distance learning. I applied to join the UNESC to help represent my fellow online students and ensure we are adequately consulted on any proposed changes. I’m excited to see what the next year will bring as a Committee member and I’m always happy for students to reach out via my UNE email to discuss any issues they are facing.
Jes Couclua
HASSE Faculty Representative
Hello my name is Jes Couclua, I recently accepted the role of student representative for HASSE, Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education upon the UNESC. I come from the Northern Territory and am studying the Bachelor of Criminology, enjoying accessing the campus in Armidale, particularly enjoying the Library and the surrounds, gardens and walking paths at the University. Very passionate about recovery orientations and humanitarianism, I have undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Health and look forward to securing employment in areas of criminal justice, and rehabilitative, advocating, investigative and program related roles, with an assessment and analytic focus. In the Northern Territory I was privileged to work within the Northern Territory Government and assisted persons from indigenous and cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the Alcohol and other Drugs services and Disability sector. I enjoy going to the gym, visiting the coast and travelling and hope one day to work with Native American Indian and Latino groups in America and Italy. Looking forward to contributing to the student experience and assisting the student voice to improve the student experience for all.
