STRIVE Leader

This exciting role offers an exclusive opportunity for a student to become a University STRIVE Leader.

STRIVE is a programme that offers an amazing package of support and opportunities specifically for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students. It involves a range of thought provoking workshops, activities and online supoort to aid professional and personal development. It is a hybrid programme evidenced to enhance the continuation and progression rates for Black, Asian and ‘minority ethnic’ (so called BAME) students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.  This is the student group, most likely to not be awarded a ‘good degree’ (1:1 or 2:1 classification of degree award).

The programme is hybrid, and delivered via the STRIVE site (hosted on Rise) with resources that include podcasts, TED talks, articles, videos, virtual internships, quizzes and other interesting online activities.  In addition to the site material, students are encouraged to attend a range of interesting and valuable face to face activities which can be found in the STRIVE calendar.  STRIVE activities celebrate diversity in all forms and focuses on personal & professional development, employment and employability and academic coaching excellence (ACE).

Access this link www.rise.mmu.ac.uk/strive for more information on STRIVE.

STRIVE Leaders are recognised as a community of students with exceptional potential, who bring expertise, care and a growth mentality to this exciting and impactful role.  They represent the University in the best possible way and are students with potential to become exceptional leaders. 

STRIVE Leaders will be trained in ‘Becoming Culturally Competent’ and mediating challenging conversations to engage in work that is important and significant in shaping and delivering the university’s education strategy. 

STRIVE Leaders will advocate for their student community and provide critical student perspectives and student voice to support our institutional work in addressing student success issues. 

The most important thing that a STRIVE Leader should have a willingness and openness to learn and be open to learning with kindness and compassion.  You will be part of a very diverse community of up to 30 student leaders.  You will be an important person within a collective of people with different viewpoints, perspectives and world views.  We want you to be yourself.  However, the one thing that all STRIVE Leaders must have is empathy and compassion for the experiences of others. 

Our STRIVE Leaders will receive training on inclusive leadership and develop the skills and expertise to be an effective leader. You will be expected to attend the training and workshops as a requirement of the role.  There are pathways to securing certifications and digital badges across a wide range of areas including research, mediation & mental health & safety.  You will engage in employability events, internships, insight days, community project activities, out-reach activities, socials and other (paid for) exclusive opportunities that are available to you as a STRIVE Leader. 

This is a paid role and a great opportunity for a student with lots of potential who is looking for the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and experience. 

Successful candidates will be paid for 25 hours of core activity (mandatory training and skills development) and engage in community-based activities, social events and employability opportunities and events that enrich their student experience as they represent the STRIVE programme in their role as a STRIVE Leader.

Date(s): January 2026 - June 2026

Hours of Work: Flexible (up to 3 hours per week)

Details of briefing/training:  All successful applicants will receive 'Becoming Culturally Competent' training and a HRM approved 3 hr taster session on mediating challenging conversations as a mandatory part of this role.

This role is only open to current Manchester Met Students who meet the following requirements - 

Essential requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled/planning to enroll on the STRIVE programme by January 2026.
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Team-Oriented & Independent: Able to work collaboratively and take initiative.
• Good time-management skills
• Good presentation skills
• Be open to learning
• Be kind and compassionate
• Good IT skills (Ability to use Microsoft packages, Word, Excel, Outlook and MS teams)
• Attend all the’ Becoming culturally competent’ (BCC) training, ‘Compassionate mediation’ taster session and Ubuntu session  (approx 20 hours over multiple sessions in total)
• Able to engage in community engagement activity (approx. 4 hours)
• Be willing to actively contribute to student voice discussions e.g. education committee as required
• A willingness to take part in an evaluation experience (e.g. a focus group) at the end of the programme to evaluate the experiences of STRIVE Leaders.

Desirable requirements:

• A willingness to engage in public speaking at STRIVE events.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced by minoritised students (e.g.  ‘Black, Asian, Mixed heritage and ethnically minoritised and/or first-generation students face) in Higher Education
• If you are successful in securing this role, you will have access to STRIVE mentors that can support you.
• All successful candidates will be required to attend a group social event in late January 2026 (after semester 1 assessments are completed).