Meet the Whitelands Team

Below you'll find information on the staff and elected officers that work hard to help run Whitelands College. Feel free to contact them with your questions or arrange a meeting with them to discuss any issues related to Whitelands College, they will be more than happy to help you.

If you have any doubts on who to contact then you can always drop your email to Steven Taggart at Steven.Taggart@roehampton.ac.uk and he can point you in the right direction.

College Staff

The staff of the college work for the University of Roehampton to support students, create a community amongst students and staff at the college and be on hand to support in their various different ways.

Dr Nick Mayhew-Smith

Head of College
Office: G14

The Head of the College oversees the development of the College from a strategic level and takes part in formal events and happenings throughout the year. Nick also oversees any disputes and disciplinary action that takes place within the college grounds. If you'd like to meet with Nick then please contact the college office to arrange an appointment.

Steven Taggart

Student Leadership Manager
Phone: 020 8392 3511
Office: G13

As the Student Leadership Manager here at Whitelands College, Steve works with all the Whitelands team to help coordinate the work of the College and logistics of its running day-to-day, alongside organising special events. He also manages the Whitelands Residential Community Leaders (RCLS) & College Community Leaders (CCLS) to ensure everyone is happy in their flats and as a member of the college. Steve will often be your first point of contact if you need help with anything relating to the college. If you are not sure who to ask, then please get in contact with him and he will be able to point you in the right direction. 

Oli Ottoway

Student Wellbeing Officer
Office: G12

I’m Oli, I am the designated Whitelands Student Wellbeing Officer – The wellbeing team is here to support you if you are experiencing non-academic challenges which are impacting on your wellbeing. We can talk through the issue in confidence. We can also refer and signpost you to a range of support services both within the University and externally. To contact me and book in a chat, in person, online (via Microsoft teams)-or by phone please email me on WhitelandsWellbeing@roehampton.ac.uk

Dr Daniel Eshun

Phone: 020 8392 3516
Office: Chaplaincy Office

Daniel is Whitelands local chaplain who is there to support you with any faith related needs you might have. He comes from the Church of England himself, but is happy to discuss all faiths and beliefs with anyone, and he can also easily put you in contact with one of the many other chaplains that Roehampton has across campus. Drop him an email below if you'd like to make an appointment to see him, or find him the College Chaplaincy. 

Sabiha Iqbal

Muslim Chaplain
Phone: 020 8392 3185

Sabiha is the Muslim Chaplain to Whitelands College, and the wider university. She is based in Southlands College (LS002) but regularly frequents all the Chaplaincy spaces and Prayer rooms across campus; including G042, the Islamic Prayer Room at Whitelands College.

The university has a multi-faith Chaplaincy team, who work closely together to provide a safe and welcoming experience for all students and staff. The Roehampton Chaplaincy team is here for those of faith and none, whatever college you are part of and whether you live on-campus or commute in.

Sabiha organises activities and events for all members of the university, as well as specifically for Muslims. Past activities have included; The Coexist Café (a time for student to gather over a hot drink and learn a skill, or just chillax!), the International Food Bazaar, an Eid Special Community Lunch, talks on Ramadan and Fasting (with top tips about how to balance commitments to academic work and Ramadan), Women’s Only Workouts (including yoga and badminton), and much, much more!

Gemma Bentley

Whitelands Archivist 
Phone: 020 8392 8117
Office: G13

Gemma is our college archivist and works to ensure our history archives and records are kept safe. She is part of the Library Services team, and has been working as the Whitelands College archivist since 2014. The collections are fascinating and open to explore. Contact Gemma to make an appointment or drop by to chat on Mondays.

College Warden

Shai Danmole-Ellis

Senior College Warden
Phone: 020 8392 7297

My role as Senior College Warden is to encourage positive behaviour and responsible citizenship on campus. I work closely with your Flat Reps to make sure people are living together well in College accommodation- looking out for each other and following the rules. I also work closely with your core College team on any wider behavioural and community issues. Please do contact me if you have any concerns about behaviour on campus, either in a flat or elsewhere. I also work closely alongside your core College team on disciplinary and wellbeing issues, to ensure everyone has the best experience possible of University. My team of College Wardens are available overnight and on weekends to respond to emergencies. You can contact the Wardens by calling Security on ext. 3333 using an internal phone or call directly on 020 8392 3333. Download the Roe Wellbeing App and you can use that to call Security for a College Warden as well!

Olivia Ogunbunmi

Senior College Warden
Phone: 020 8392 7297

Our roles as Senior College Wardens are to encourage positive behaviour and responsible citizenship on campus. We work closely with your Residential Community Leaders (RCLs) to make sure people are living together well in college accommodation – looking out for each other and following the rules. You are welcome to visit us if you have any concerns about behaviour on campus, either in a flat or elsewhere. We also work alongside others on serious disciplinary and wellbeing cases, to ensure everyone has the best experience of university.

Karolina Stawicka

College Warden
Phone: Security +44 (0) 20 8392 3333

Your College Warden works together with student leaders and others in the team to make sure students on campus are safe, looked after, getting along well together and following the student code of conduct. Your Warden provides pastoral care to support the Wellbeing and Security teams where needed, outside of office hours. It is also their role to help ensure the college community life is safe, supportive and nurturing. Together with the college team the Warden will help build a community and encourage responsible citizenship, informed by the values of the college. 

Student Elected Officers

The student elected officers are elected by the students of Roehampton to represent them in various ways and to help build and develop the community at Whitelands in partnership with the RSU and College staff.

College President and May Monarch 

The Whitelands May Monarch is a unique position to Whitelands, and their duty is to raise money at the College for their nominated charity for the year. The position is elected each year in December time and they begin their reign in May.

Hanna Baxter

May Monarch

Hey you, I’m Hanna! As this year’s elected May Queen, you’ll see me around campus organising events and raising money for my chosen charity – Dose of Nature. I love bringing people together so, if you spot me around campus, please say hi or message me via Instagram: @whitelands_may_ monarch to find out about the next event. 

Abbigail Parkin

Student President

Hi there, I am Abbigail (Whitelands College President). I am a friendly face around Whitelands, Psychology and This Girl Can. I am always up for a chat or fun time. I will always try my best to support Whitelands students. Make sure to follow my Instagram - @whitelands_president_abbigail to keep updated on anything Whitelands related. 

Keira Williams

Deputy College President  

Hey, welcome back to Whitelands! Whether you are a new or continuing student, I’m excited to represent you! If you see me around, feel free to come and have a chat. I aim to be a friendly face on campus for everyone. This is going to be an exciting year, so feel free to follow along on Instagram @whitelandsvicepresidentkeira for updates and events throughout the year. Remember to stay focused, stay determined, always be kind, give yourself grace, small steps every day – this year’s yours to flourish.