Student President

Jay Agbaje

Student President

Photo of Vice President Education

About Me

I’m your Student President, guided by purpose, people, and progress. I believe leadership starts with understanding yourself and others and using that understanding to make every day experiences better. I love learning, growing, and having real conversations, and I care about creating spaces where students feel supported, heard, and empowered.

My goal is simple: turn student voices into action that actually makes a difference, the kind you can see and feel.

Tell us about your educational journey so far

My educational journey has never really been about ticking boxes. I have learned just as much from experiences, conversations, and even the occasional mistake as I have from classrooms. There’s a quote I love; education is what remains after we forget what we learned in school. Qualifications are great and important, but what really matters to me is what I have become along the way of achieving those credits, my reasoning, critical thinking, confidence, and how I relate to others. I love learning in all its forms and honestly think I’ll always be a student, constantly growing and figuring things out.

What inspired you to run for this role?

I once heard someone described success as discovering your purpose, developing yourself for that purpose, and then using that growth to serve others. That stuck with me.

I feel like I’m somewhere between developing and putting that growth into action, still learning but ready to give back. Improving people’s lives is what drives me and running for Student President felt like a natural way to do that, listening to students, advocating for them, and turning ideas into real change.

How will you make sure all voices are heard and represented?

I think representation works best when leadership is visible and intentional. My job as President is to set the tone while working closely with our Vice Presidents to make sure all perspectives are heard and included.

I want students to know their voices matter and that feedback doesn’t just disappear, it shapes decisions. I will lead collaboratively, stay approachable, and make sure students voice remains loud and relevant in every meeting.

What's the best piece of advice you've every received as a student?

Understand how you learn. Learning starts with self-discovery, knowing what motivates you, how you process information, and what helps you thrive. Once you figure that out, everything else falls into place a bit easier.

It’s advice I keep coming back to, not just for studying, but for leadership, life, and figuring out how to handle whatever comes my way.

What's a hobby or interest you have that might surprise people?

I collect vinyl records and love listening to music on a proper record player. There’s something about slowing down and really hearing the music that I find grounding. I’m also learning to DJ,(not going well at the moment because of time) and dancing makes me genuinely happy, put me on a dance floor with a good song and I will come alive.

I’ve recently started learning salsa too, quite challenging as men has to lead, currently stepping on toes sometimes rather than leading, but it’s all part of the fun. Music, movement, and relaxation are how I switch off and connect with people.

If you have a completely free day, how would you spend it?

I would spend it listening to my body and taking care of myself. Filling my own cup helps me show up better for others.

Maybe a long walk with my headphones on listening to some jazz or Afrobeats, a quiet cup of tea, a massage, or just some time to reset and breathe. Honestly, it might be all of that or none, whatever I need that day. Rest, reflection, and balance are definitely not indulgences, they are my survival skills.

My Role

Your Student President leads and supports your student leadership team to get the best results for student. They act as the most senior student leader, working closely with senior leadership at the university, ensuring your voice is at the heart of major decisions, projects and growth.

The role of Student President is the senior representational leader of the Students’ Association and plays a fundamental role in advocating for the needs of students, championing key challenges and providing a student-focused voice in various committees or with senior colleagues. They also play a substantial role as the Students’ Association continues to develop their operation and services, to meet the needs of current and future students, no matter where or how they study.

Your Student Leaders play a vital role in shaping decisions by attending boards and committees. Their presence ensures that the student voice is not only heard but actively influences the policies, priorities, and decisions of the University.

Being involved in these meetings is more than participation. It’s about driving positive change and advocating for the needs, interests, and experiences of student.

Here is more information about the boards and committees that your Student President attends.

Jay's Updates

Find out more about what I have been up to.

Festive Traditions

This winter period is not just a break from classes but a welcomed time to rest, reflect and engage in various traditions. Your Student Leaders have been reflecting on their plans and want to tell you about some of their traditions.

Thu 18 Dec 2025 Your Students' Association

Regional Student Influence

Student Leadership doesn't stop at Arden University. That's why our Student President, Jay Agbaje, is working closely with Students' Unions across Manchester and London.

Wed 12 Nov 2025 Your Students' Association

Students Lead the Conversation: Office for Students Visit Stratford Campus

On Monday 20th October, the Office for Students visited our new Stratford Campus to meet with senior leaders from the University and hear directly from students including your Student President, Jay Agbaje.

Fri 31 Oct 2025 Your Students' Association

Jay's Terror-ific Year

Over the past year, your Student President has been working hard behind the scenes, lobbying in key committees and diving into research, all to better understand what matters most to you and to champion your interests with confidence.

Fri 24 Oct 2025 Your Students' Association

Your Student President: Jay Agbaje

Read Jay's Manifesto in full

Wed 25 Jun 2025 Students Association Election
 

My Priorities

Your Student Leaders are elected by you! When Jay stood to be your Student President, they shared their top three priorities that matter most to them and you.

Here you can explore their priorities, track their progress, and see the projects they’re working on to make your student experience even better.

Priority 1

Childcare Support for Parents

Priority 2

More Paid Opportunities

Priority 3

Timely support, timely grades

Use arrow keys to navigate between cards, Enter or Space to flip cards, and Tab to focus on buttons inside flipped cards.