Giving Whanganui UCOL students a voice, creating more social events and connecting better with the Palmerston North campus is Mathew Urry's mission.
The first year national security student has been appointed Association of Students at UCOL's first ever vice president - a role Mr Urry says was in desperate need.
Previously Whanganui UCOL has operated without such leadership and students have relied on the main president based at the Palmerston North UCOL campus.
The 21-year-old said there was a lot the Whanganui students didn't have a voice for and it was frustrating to see.
"This year we had planned for a ball but we didn't get the support we needed from the Palmerston North campus so it didn't happen."
Mr Urry will be working closely with Whanganui's executive classroom reps and the campus' student committee as well as liaisoning with the president in Palmerston North.
He said his priorities would be to voice student demands to management, create more social events that involved the community and get fundraisers rolling.
"I'm really excited about it and I think this new role will bring a tighter bond between the campuses."
Last week the Chronicle reported a surge in Whanganui UCOL's 2018 enrolments that were double what they were this time last year.
Mr Urry, is a New Zealand First supporter, said the Government's new proposed policy to make tertiary education free for first year students has definitely been a pull factor.
"I know a lot of high school graduates who have pulled back from going to uni because first year costs are so high."
He said more courses at UCOL now offer placement into work during study and after graduating which has helped too.
"I have causal contracts with a few local security companies that was arranged by UCOL ... I get about 10-15 hours a week and there is potential that will led to fulltime employment."
Mr Urry said the atmosphere on campus had flourished and it was exciting to see the growing numbers.