Hi, my name is Nalani Toni-Ann Swan, and I’m a first-year Computer Science student at the University of Leeds. Originally from the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, I moved to the UK for university, and one of the things that helped me feel at home was the vibrant community within the Computing Society. Now, I want to contribute by running for Social Media Officer to enhance our online presence and engagement even further.
Social media has always been a passion of mine. Like many, as a kid I shot my shot at fame and had an embarrassing YouTube channel, but my most meaningful experience came from my recent passion project, “Girl with a Polaroid” (@girl.with.a.polaroid on TikTok and Instagram). Through this, I captured polaroid pictures and shared beautiful moments of life in the Cayman Islands, our beaches, cultural activities, and people, I did this to boost awareness of our incredible islands. I pursued this project during my A-levels and I was able to amass a following of over 3,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram combined. I was able to get featured on multiple local platforms, interview college basketball players from UCLA, LSU and UCONN (at the Cayman Classic Basketball Tournament), and in general connect with my home country much more. Though the page is no longer active, the skills I gained in content creation, audience engagement, and platform strategy have stuck with me.
Skills I Bring to the Role:
• Graphic Design: Canva for creating visually appealing posts
• Content Creation: Photography, videography, and storytelling
• Video Editing: Premiere Pro, CapCut
• SEO & Hashtag Strategy: Maximizing reach and engagement
• Analytics & Performance Tracking: Understanding audience behaviour
• Content Planning & Scheduling: Organizing consistent, high-quality posts
• Platform Expertise: Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn
With my technical skills and strong communication, teamwork, and feedback skills, I am confident in continuing the high-quality content on the University of Leeds Computing Society’s social media. I’m eager to help grow the society even more by increasing member engagement and participation in events.
My Vision for Computing Society’s Social Media:
• Daily/Regular Instagram Stories:
o Posting on Instagram Stories daily or almost daily boosts followers and engagement. I would share interesting facts about notable figures and pioneers in computer science, past and present, to educate and engage CompSoc members. This would also highlight underrepresented groups often overlooked in history. I would call this segment “Fun Fact Friday” For example, did you know, Alan Turing, known as the father of modern computing, played a key role in breaking the German Enigma code during WWII. Despite his contributions, he was persecuted for his homosexuality and passed away in 1954. In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II officially recognized his achievements with a royal pardon.
• Member Spotlights & Achievements:
o Another idea is to feature CompSoc members who have secured industry placements, summer internships, or grad schemes. Showcasing their achievements would inspire others and encourage more participation in our workshops and talks, helping members gain similar opportunities.
• “Day in the Life” Event Videos:
o Creating cool videos and capturing CompSoc events like Pixel Bar Mario Kart Tournaments, Fridge 2 Fridge, and workshops to showcase the society’s activities and engagement. I believe these videos show the fun and value of being a part of CompSoc.
Moving to a new country was a huge change but seeing the Computing Society’s events online knowing there was a community of people with similar interests as me, made the huge change easier to handle. My favourite Computing Society event of the year would be LeedsHack 2025 , it was my first ever hackathon and definitely one to remember. I grew closer to my course mates as we explored new languages and technologies together, bonding over the shared struggles of sleepless hours and exhaustion during 24-hour coding sessions. Through the challenges, we not only expanded our skills but got to know each other more. The University of Leeds Computing Society is an incredible community, and I hope to contribute to its growth and success. If given the opportunity to serve as Social Media Officer for 2025/2026, I will build on the great work of my predecessor, ensuring high-quality, engaging content that showcases everything Computing Society has to offer.
