Elections: Textiles Representative

Please find biography details for Victoria Chamberlain who has put herself forward for the role of Textiles Representative. If no further applicants are received by 20th April then Victoria will be elected to the role on the OCASA Commitee.

My name is Victoria Chamberlain and being a distance learner I understand and appreciate that because of the nature of part-time and distance-learning study you will be facing different challenges to those students studying on campus, as you might be trying to study whilst you work, manage family commitments, and/or juggle other interests. I also appreciate that getting to know and/or meet other students is not always as easy. I was previously a Distance Learning Student at Leicester University for Four Years, where I was Course rep for three and Distance Learning officer at the Leicester Students Union for three years, so I fully understand your frustrations that as distance Learners you face. I joined OCA as I would eventually like to teach textiles as it’s a real passion of mine. I am fully approachable and I am not afraid to make my voice heard on behalf of you the student, so we can make changes together.

When I found the OCA I couldn’t believe my luck. As here was an opportunity to study the area of the arts that I love: Textiles. I am new to OCA but not to Distance Learning. I am currently working though level 1 and I am looking forward to understanding the way the OCA works and what it is that students need both in terms of direct support from the OCA and the equally important help and companionship of fellow students in a virtual environment.

The virtual world is vital to Distance Learners and students are welcome to contact me either through Facebook, messenger, skype as meeting and hearing the stories of other students first hand will give me a greater insight in to how others think and learn.
The co-operation and co-production of students and their college is so important for student experiences and I believe I have the right kind of positive attitude and practical problem solving to support my fellow students and the college in equal measure.
OCA students are busy people but making sure that we have representation and making sure that student voices are heard is the key reason for me in putting myself forward for consideration as textiles rep. I would like this opportunity build on the experience as an OCA student and work together to help others with problems no matter the size and ensure that the voices of textiles students are influential in change.