They've been elected and they're ready to start - it's your brand new Sabbatical Officer Team 2025-26! Before we share what they'll be working on this year, let's find out a bit more about them...
Augustin Denis - President (PG)
First up is our President (PG), Augustin Denis! From museums to organised student movements, here's a bit more of what they're interested in.
College: Wolfson
Student groups involved with: Cambridge 4 Palestine, ORCA, and J4CS
Reason for running to be a sabb: I ran for the organized student movement to have space in the SU again, and to help build the strength and longevity of the student movement.
Fun fact about yourself: I love how weird the taxidermied great apes look in the Paris Natural History Museum!
Favourite hotspot in Cambridge: the Devonshire Arms
Matthew Copeman - President (UG)
Next is our President (UG), Matthew Copeman! From creative groups to number one priorities, here's a bit more about him.
College: Fitzwilliam
Societies/groups: Fitz Choir, Fitz Barbershop, Cambridge Theatre
Why did you run to be a sabb? Over the last year, I’ve seen the potential for the SU to really make a difference to students. I want to see an SU for everyone that can campaign effectively, and also give back to the student community with events and outreach work.
What are you most looking forward to doing/achieving over the next sabb year? So much, but my number one would have to be running student life sessions. I think there’s a real opportunity to provide students with so much value beyond what is taught in lectures, and I’m really looking forward to making it happen.
Fun fact about yourself: My first theatre performance was as one of Cinderella’s ugly step-sisters in our Year 6 pantomime.
Favourite hotspot / location in Cambridge: the Granta pub, especially in the summer overlooking the river
Jessica Asiedu-Kwatchey - Vice President (Education & Widening Participation)
Following on is our Vice President (Education & Widening Participation) - it's Jessica Asiedu-Kwatchey! With an interest in student feedback and music, here's more about her!
College: Christ’s
Societies/groups: Black Girls’ Space, Education Society
Why did you run to be a sabb? I ran to be a sabb as my experiences volunteering in college/university-wide access and outreach initiatives gave me a strong passion for improving widening participation at Cambridge, whilst my Education degree provided me with the understanding and confidence to work on tackling some of the major issues facing the higher education landscape today.
What are you most looking forward to doing/achieving over the next sabb year? I am most looking forward to working closely with current students and using their voices to inform my policies, as well as engaging in the organisation and delivery of schemes for prospective students, in order to ensure that everyone can have an equitable educational experience whilst at Cambridge.
Fun fact about yourself: I have an endless amount of hobbies which include: baking, crocheting and making music (to name a few!)
Favourite hotspot / location in Cambridge: Castle Mound for the amazing sunset views
Melanie Benedict - Vice President (Liberation & Welfare)
Next it's our Vice-President (Welfare & Liberation), Melanie Benedict! Focusing on campaigning and empowering students, here's a flavour of what they're interested in.
College: Magdalene
Societies/groups: CUADC, Women’s Campaign, Magdalene Mountaineers, Cambridge Community Kitchen, Cambridge for Palestine
Why did you run to be a sabb? When I used to be part of the Woman’s Campaign in my first year, I saw the work that the Women’s Officer, Eseosa, was doing during the year, and I felt incredibly inspired to have the same kind of impact. There were so many different areas of work that I was incredibly passionate about and was keen to make sure I followed a line of work that was focussed on being intersectional. When the new Welfare and Liberation role was created, I knew that I had found a role that I could enact change that I was really passionate about and represent students in a way that was longlasting but would also help students build more trust to reach out to the sabb and SU team. In just the few weeks I’ve been here, my reasons for being a sabb just keep becoming bigger!
What are you most looking forward to doing/achieving over the next sabb year? So many events including Reclaim the Night and running regular training sessions crafted to help empower students to organise on issues they care about! I also cannot wait to hear about all the things you all want me to focus on and support over the next year!
Fun fact about yourself: I fall in love with so many things very easily. So much so that I studied my A-Levels for 3 years because I had my heart set on being a civil engineer but had a change of heart. Now I have a HSPS BA and specialised in sociology!
Favourite hotspot / location in Cambridge: Thrive Cafe and Granchester Meadows
Olivia Ledger - Vice President (Student Community & Societies)
And last, but certainly not least, it's our Vice President (Student Community & Societies) - Olivia Ledger! With a background in board games and pool as well as student community, here's more about her.
College: St John’s
Societies/groups: Cambridge Student Community Action, Board Gaming and Diplomacy Society
Why did you run to be a sabb? I was manning the SCA stall at the Refreshers’ Fair when a member of the SU came over and told me about being a sabbatical officer - I hadn’t even heard of it before! - and I decided that I wanted to get involved and do some good. I love Cambridge, but I had a rough start in my first year and felt awfully lonely, so I know that there’s lots of work to be done, and I want to help improve the student experience 🙂
What are you most looking forward to doing/achieving over the next sabb year? There’s lots that I want to do - and I’ve already started on a room booking guide - but I’m particularly excited to work on bridging the gap between the town and gown, which I plan to do through projects between the student community and local schools/homeless communities.
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve become obsessed with pool recently, so am literally always down for a game!
Favourite hotspot / location in Cambridge: There’s a spot underneath John’s Cripps (ie, the ‘ugly’ carpark looking building down from the Bridge of Sighs) which overlooks the river and the bridge, and it’s the most beautiful view. The Bridge of Sighs holds a lot of sentimental value for me - I never thought I’d get into Cambridge, so only picked a college the night before and went for John’s purely because it had a pretty bridge.
Keep your eyes peeled for more updates from the sabbs over the summer - including priorities and what they'll be working on!