Second-year Humanities student Payton Mitchell recently won Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community at the Blues and Golds Awards for his student advocacy.
Payton Mitchell has made a big impact on the Otago community in the short time he has been here.
The second-year Te Kete Aronui – Division of Humanities student was recently named Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community at the Blues and Golds Awards.
“It was really affirming of all the volunteering I’ve been doing in the University community, and really motivating to try to do a lot more of that and stay engaged next year,” he says.
The 20-year-old is incredibly passionate about Humanities and advocates for it in many ways, including as the student representative on the Humanities Divisional Board and as the Division’s representative for the Otago University Students’ Association.
He is also the founder and president of the Otago Society of Arts and Philosophy.
“We need people who can think critically, deeply and humanely and really engage with ethics and what it means to be human.”
“The goal was to put philosophy in dialogue in everyday life and lived experience and use it to analyse art, because it can be boring to just do really abstract thinking.
“Art is like the expression of culture and what it means to be human, so trying to explore that instead of just looking at it go by.”
Payton believes the Humanities are more important now than ever before – especially with the rise of AI and anti-intellectualism.
“We need people who can think critically, deeply and humanely and really engage with ethics and what it means to be human.”
When nominating Payton for Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community, OUSA Student Voice Co-ordinator Leda Norris said she has “never come across such a dedicated and devoted student, always eager to fulfil every advocacy role and consistently working towards and striving for long-term student-led initiatives”.
“Payton’s active participation has played a vital role in enhancing the student experience by facilitating communication, consultation, and representation on academic matters, policy change and other relevant student voice matters, and he is only just getting started.”
Despite the connection he now has with Te Kete Aronui, studying at Otago was not initially in his plans.
Payton is a dual citizen of America and New Zealand, although had never lived here.
He was visiting with his family a few years ago – coincidentally while he was applying for colleges – and decided to tour Otago’s “beautiful campus” when he realised it could be a viable option.
“It was a much better choice than America, just because the community is so much better. North Dunedin really is ‘studentville’.
“Everyone we talked to seemed really passionate, engaged and it just made more sense.”
He says moving to New Zealand was a big adventure.
“But I knew it would be a safe landing.
“It’s been amazing to be able to come here and participate in the steering of such an amazing institution and contribute to it in some way.”
– Kōrero by Media Engagement Adviser Jessica Wilson
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