FYI – Foundation Year Investigates

What is your name and what are you studying?

My name is Samantha Tshuma and I study BA Counselling, Mental Health and Well-being.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Alongside being a student at Newman University I take great pride in contributing towards creating a great change in our society through my passion. I am a public speaker and the founder of a female empowerment brand called ”shefindsherstrength,” a platform that empowers females to find their strength physically, mentally, and emotionally. With this brand, I host both remote and face-to-face events, as well as an online series. My end goal is to be a professional mental health therapist with my own therapy service in different care fields, and to go further with my brand and in my public-speaking career.

What roles have you taken on as a student at Newman?

During my time so far at Newman University, I have taken on a number of roles. These include becoming a Foundation Year mentor and starting the African Caribbean Society (ACS) for students at Newman. I am proud of taking up these roles. Helping people and providing a safe place for people to get help and support they need is important to me and I am so glad Newman has given people like myself these types of opportunity to make a difference in whatever way we choose.

What is the aim of the African Caribbean Society at Newman?

The aim of the African Caribbean Society (ACS) is to build a community amongst black students at Newman University with African and/or Caribbean heritage. The society’s aim is to create a safe and supportive environment for black students, doing activities such as events, debates, or trips, and even starting clubs within the society that celebrate African and Caribbean lives and cultures. There are so many exciting and fun things in store. On the other hand, the society has been founded to help build confidence for black students at Newman and allow them a platform for their voices to be heard and recognized.

Why do you feel these are so important for Newman students?

The Black community across the world has been through a lot, a lot of challenges that have created such a huge impact on our society today. The ACS is a way for students to feel understood and confident in who they are and a way to feel empowered as a Black student at Newman. This society is important to the students enabling them to feel more welcomed and comfortable at Newman.

How has Newman’s Foundation Year helped you step into these roles and activities?

Newman’s Foundation Year has really played a huge part in my confidence to take on these roles today. I was able to get to know the university well, able to understand Newman’s system, and was able to learn so much about myself and my strengths and weaknesses. The Foundation Year gave me so much time to think more carefully about what I really want to do. I can definitely say that I am proud I went through the Foundation Year first.

Where do you want to go next?

My next step is to continue to help students and create a change where I can. I will continue to build the ACS and create amazing things for the society and the Black community. Alongside that, I am dedicated to my role as a Foundation Year mentor. I really want to have a positive impact on people’s lives as students and help them feel empowered to become the best they can be at Newman.

For more information about our Foundation Year at Newman University, and the many pathways available please visit www.newman.ac.uk/foundation-year