MSU VP for Student Life 2024/25: Meet your candidates

KYLA HENRY

Q: What year are you currently in, and what course are you studying?

A: I am a Media and Sociology graduate. I'm the current Vice President of Student Life, and Deputy President in Maynooth Students’ Union.

Q: What inspired you to run for elections a second time?

A: It was an impulsive decision in some way. I knew I had a lot more to do in this role and I wanted to really make a lasting impact on student life in Maynooth. I thought that by running for a second time I would be able to focus on core things that could be implemented by the end of my mandate. I felt like this time I’d have the opportunity to really improve student life here, especially after COVID.

Q: How would you make a change in Maynooth if you were to be re-elected? 

A: One of the things I’d try to introduce if I was re-elected, would be therapy dogs. It’s been implemented in UCC and there are several studies I’m basing my research on, which really show the mental health benefits for students. Dogs are known to increase serotonin levels, so there would be a lot of advantages to having one on campus, especially if students were feeling lonely or needed some stress-relief. I’d also make sure that our campus stays student friendly. I would look into price-breakdown of different services, and consider how we could make them even cheaper for students.  

Another priority of mine is to re-evaluate bus timetables and ensuring there are enough student spaces on buses. One way to do so would be by looking into setting up shuttle buses. I'm currently sitting on the Students Facility Project Advisory Group, which focuses on what student facilities we can implement in Maynooth and making sure there's spaces for students on public transport.  

Q: Are you involved in any club or society here on campus? 

A: Not at the moment, but in first and second year I was involved with the Radio Society. In first year I was on the committee as presented liaison, so I was kind of controlling the shows and I had a show myself. I was also the vice-president in second year. Unfortunately the society didn’t progress much because of things getting in the way, especially COVID. 
But I've had a lot of involvement within clubs and societies, since I sit on the Clubs Management Committee and Societies Management Committee. 

Q: Who is your biggest role model? 

A: Celebrity wise, I'm definitely a Swifty. I think she's quite iconic and I love like the “girl power” aspect of Taylor Swift. Whereas in my personal life, my family really inspires me. My aunt, who just recently passed away, was a Special Olympian. She won gold and silver medals at the 2007 Special Olympics. I was only five years old when that happened, but after she passed away I learnt more about her life and realised all she had achieved. So, yes, my family really does inspire me and push me to accomplish many of my achievements. But I also get a lot of inspiration from working with the SU team. 

Q: How would you describe yourself using one to five words? 

A: I describe myself as very outgoing, which I think is very integral in terms of being the Vice President of Student Life, because you do have to be out there and you have to talk to a lot of Students. So I am fortunate that I could chat to a wall if needed!  

I'd also say I'm innovative, and refreshing in a sense, because I do have a bubbly personality and I like to bring in new ideas. This year I re-introduced Refreshers Week, for instance. And finally, I am very passionate. I accidentally fell into the rabbit hole of getting involved in the MSU in first year, after becoming an academic rep. Then I got involved in Senate, became a part-time officer and eventually ended up in this role, which I’m now re-running for.  
So I'm quite passionate about the SU, and I want to be able to walk away happy with the contribution I’ve made to student life in Maynooth, having ensured that students are looked after and things that are happening are done in their best interest.  

Q: Do you have a campaign motto or a favourite quote? 

A: My campaign motto is “stick to what you know”, so encouraging students to keep me in because they know what I can do.  

My favourite quote would have to be “cairde is cuimhní”, which is Irish for “friends and memories”. I just feel like it’s a very integral part of being in the SU, because of all the friends and memories you end up making while being involved in it. 

Carrie O’Neill did not respond to my interview request.