Tom made history last year by becoming the first black president of Cambridge University Students’ Union, almost forty years after its inception. Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke is among his predecessors and Tom has hinted that a longer term career in politics is beckoning...from a distance.
So impassioned is Tom about communities and their potential to effect, embrace and enhance change, he has decided to pursue a Masters degree at Queen Mary University of London, in Community Organising. And although the Cambridge community is quite different to the communities Tom hopes to work amongst one day, he will take a wealth of experience to his postgraduate studies.
“I’ve been able to learn a lot about this university”, he says. “How to achieve things in a very strange environment.” Having spent the past year as our Number One Rising Star, Tom has committed himself entirely to serving the student body in which he previously enjoyed three years as a Geography student. “It’s been a really amazing experience, a real privilege to work with some extremely talented and committed people”.
And the highlight of his presidency? Securing £35,000 of university funding for a new student advice service – a feat at least nine presidents before him failed to achieve. This success means that Cambridge is no longer the only Russell Group university not to have a full-time Student Advisor and Tom is deservedly proud of a legacy he reluctantly leaves behind.
02