Rate My Professor Liam White

Liam White serves as the President of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) for 2025 at the University of Otago. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics, completed last year, and is currently finishing a Master's in International Studies, having started his studies at Otago in 2020. White's diverse experiences include living in university halls and flats, serving as a sub-warden at Carrington College, and previously acting as the Political Representative on the OUSA executive. As a third-year Politics student earlier in his journey, he has demonstrated strong commitment to student welfare and political engagement. In addition to his leadership role, White is the Otago director of Generation Vote, a non-partisan civic education trust. Through this position, he oversees workshops for Year 9 high school students on topics including introduction to politics in Aotearoa New Zealand, policy and law, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, local government, and mock elections, reaching over 550 youth in Dunedin, Wellington, and Otago residential colleges.

White's presidency prioritizes robust student advocacy on housing quality, cost of living, and safety. He has driven initiatives such as partnering for healthy homes compliance checks in student rentals, advocating for a rental warrant of fitness, and conducting the most comprehensive assessment of Dunedin student flats since the 1990s. Other efforts include reinstating common lunch hours with events to foster community. He serves on the University of Otago Quality Advancement Committee until 31 December 2025 and delivered the OUSA ANZAC Day 2025 address, which resonated widely. White emphasizes transformative leadership by listening, empowering others, and pursuing ambitious goals, viewing OUSA as a values-based movement. His focus remains on enhancing student experiences, promoting democratic engagement, and supporting academic and personal growth amid challenges. He credits Otago for developing leaders and aims to position OUSA as the heart of the student body.