With the end of the year in sight, it is easy to get caught up in reminiscing on what was and reflecting on what could have been.  Not so for incoming President, Millie O’Halloran, who has her eyes firmly set on making 2025 another fantastic year for all Residents and Associate Members.

We sat down with her recently to discuss what her priorities were for the College in 2025.

What do you see as key priorities for 2025?

I had such a fantastic time this year at King’s, and I really think a lot of that is as a result of the Student Leadership Team. My main priority is making 2025 full of great memories, connections and growth for everyone but especially new Residents and Associate Members.

One thing I definitely would like to improve is the awareness of the great things we do in the community. While King’s has such a strong tradition in certain areas such as rugby and rowing, I think it’s important to highlight some other things we do really well as a college.

I also think we can build stronger inter-collegial relations and that is something I want to focus on for 2025.

Why did you run for the King’s College Student Club (KCSC) President?

I was unsure about running initially, while I had a great time contributing to the leadership team as a 2nd-year Representative, I wasn’t sure I wanted to carry the weight of being the first female KCSC President at King’s.

However, I know how important visibility is for representation and I thought that even just running would encourage other Kingswomen to consider leadership positions within the College.

Ultimately, what really spurred me to go for the position, and it’s one of the great things about the College, is that it really is an even playing field here. I knew that if successful it would be based on the merits of what I bring to the role and not a tokenistic gesture.

What do you think are the qualities of a great leader?

We have Residents with a diverse range of backgrounds here at the College so naturally there can be differences in opinion.

A good leader needs to be able to understand these different perspectives but also how they can fit together to serve everyone in the community.

Communication is key, but a good communicator doesn’t just speak, they also listen.

I like to think I am personable, and I hope that translates to people being comfortable in coming to me with ideas or concerns so we can address them.

What does legacy mean to you?

Every day we are surrounded by the legacy of those who have come before and helped shape what the College is today. While we have seen lots of change at King’s in recent years, I want to retain the things that make the College great and build on the legacy of those who came before me.

Just as the previous leadership team inspired me; I hope my legacy is inspiring the next generation, and that they truly embrace life at King’s and make it the best experience for them.