CSU President
Lily Watson is your elected President of Chester Students' Union for 2024/25.
Contact Lily
Get in touch: SUPresident@chester.ac.uk
Lily's Priorities
- See Lily's full manifesto here
In November CSU took part in the Reclaim the Night march, this event is to tackle the violence against women and girls. It is a beautiful event went people from within the community come together as a united front. To coincide with this I worked on a podcast that talked about this issue and how it can feel to be a woman in this modern age, this coincided with my consent campaign where we ran free self-defence classes.
In November I held my Consent campaign that tackled this subject. We had fantastic engagement with this project with a host of ways for students to get involved with the campaign, from free self-defence classes to videos on our social media. We even took the conversation directly to you with mini-interviews asking you what does consent mean to you. In February I hosted SHAG week (Sexual Health and Guidance week) this was a fantastic success with a pop-up sexual health stall outside the binks building, some funny social media videos you all got involved in. From this campaign we now have a lasting impact from the work carried out by having free STI testing kits, condoms and pregnancy test available in the CSU toilets, no need to ask just help yourself. We have seen the conversation around campus and can’t wait to launch SHAG week again in the next academic year!
This is something I am currently working on with the university to get you more student space! It’s a topic of conversation we all talk about that there is no where for students to just go and relax and have a space that feels like theirs. I am having multiple conversation with the university to see what can be done to give you all what you want and need. In the meantime, feel free to pop into CSU as we have had a mini makeover!
Career readiness is something you all picked as one of our top priorities for the next 3-5 year in our speak week survey and we are working on it! I have also done all I can to create employment opportunities for students from recruiting Student Trustees, appointing students to sit on committees and recruiting two paid sustainability roles that work with the SU and local council. I am trying to create opportunities that enhance you CV and make you stand out from all other candidates.
About Lily
Hi everyone, I am Lily, your CSU president for the 2024/25 academic year. I will be graduating November 2025 after spending 3 years at the university.
I love to chat, so please come speak to me if you see me around campus - hopefully we will have some amazing campaigns and events this year you can all get involved in.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching Love Island
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Interacting with students every day and having an impact on their university experience
What did you study?
BA Acting
What is it like to work on your team?
No two days are the same! We work in a fast-paced, busy, and fun environment. It’s a pleasure to come into work each day
What are your hobbies?
I love to sing in my spare time and used to dream of being a singer when I was younger
Favourite TV show?
It has to be Gavin and Stacey…. Nessa is an ICON!!!!
Why did you run for President?
I ran for president because I wanted to make an impact, I wanted to get everyone involved in the change that is wanted and needed. I am so excited for this next year!
Committees Lily Attends
- University Council
- Planning & Resource Committee
- Senate
- Student Voice & Experience Committee
- Mission Committee
- Social Capital Steering Group
- Student Bursary Panels
- University & Community Liaison Meetings
- Value for Money Steering Group
- Academic Governance & Student Outcomes Committee
- Students as Partners
