You have voted, and we have listened. Emily Eriksson is the community champion of 2025!

Earlier in the spring term did we call for nominations for which student you think deserves the award Community hero of the year 2025. The award recognises students who have stood out a little extra, and who through their commitment have inspired others to work for a vibrant campus. For 2025, the jury (consisting of the SöderS board) decided that it was Emily Eriksson, former chair of the marketing committee in SÖFRE, who has done just that.

Emily is studying the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Marketing programme, specialising in media and communication studies. She is currently writing her bachelor’s thesis and has been involved in the student union’s largest student association event since 2024. SOFRE (Södertörn's Associated Economists).

Emily reflects on her involvement in student life over the years.

– It started with me applying to the project team for SÖFRE's 2024 orientation week by pure coincidence. A classmate who had become a project manager there encouraged me to apply, and I just thought – fine, I'll do it for your sake. Then it turned out to be the most fun I'd ever had.

SÖFRE's orientation programme is for many an introduction to student life at Södertörn University. It is a major event before the start of the term every autumn semester, and is entirely student-run. For two weeks in August, hundreds of new students are welcomed into student life by SÖFRE's orientation mentors and head mentors.

As her commitment to student life continued after the 2024 orientation week, Emily decided to apply for the SÖFRE board. There, she became part of the marketing committee as its chairperson.

– It was both incredibly educational, but it was also incredibly difficult many times. I think the most important thing that I'm taking away with me is that hard work and graft is gonna pay out at the end of the day. If you do your thing, if you believe in yourself, if you dare to stand your ground and go that extra mile, it is you who will flourish in the end.

”How does it feel to be Community hero of the year 2025?”

– I'm really flattered. It feels great because you've put in an incredible amount of hard work; that you get a bit of recognition. But I wasn't at all prepared for it, I got a bit of a shock.

”What would you say to someone who is thinking about getting involved in community or voluntary work, but who might be feeling unsure or lacks the courage?”

– Well, just go for it. Just do it! I got involved in student societies when I hardly knew anyone, apart from my classmate. Student life gives you such a huge sense of community, and I notice that with the friends I have from university who not has got involved. They come here, they do their thing, do their seminar assignment and then they go home. With student societies, your study time goes by so much faster, so don't waste that time being scared. Just go for it, basically.

Emily remains in SÖFRE, but doesn't have quite as much responsibility as before. She is graduating this summer, but might stay on into the autumn to study further.

– We'll see what awaits after graduation!

Congratulations again Emily - Community Star of the Year 2025!

Read more about SöderS' awards here.
Curious about SÖFRE? Here are you reading more about them.