Class of 2026: Natania Efeurhobo

Law graduate Natania Efeurhobo made a lasting impact at the University of Essex through volunteering, leadership and community outreach, earning recognition for her work with VTeam.

She has played an inspirational role within VTeam, the Students’ Union’s volunteering programme, by getting involved in a whole range of projects.

She was co-project leader for the VTeam Maths Club which sees students run weekly after-school maths sessions for local schools and the project has been so successful it picked up the Project of the Year Award at this year’s SU Volunteering Awards.

On top of this Natania has been involved in the VTeam Science Club, the Refugee Teaching Project, and numerous one-off initiatives like supporting Colchester Half Marathon and schools athletics competitions. She has also held Society Exec roles and has done 150+ hours of external volunteering as an IntoUniversity mentor.

Natania said: “VTeam has been a big part of my Essex experience. It has been a way for me to leave my comfort zone and put myself out there, so taking part in as many projects as I could allowed me to meet new people, make memorable experiences and build skills I otherwise wouldn’t have.

“The project I am most proud of is Maths Club, starting out as a regular volunteer in my first year then becoming session leader and then project leader. I’ve spent my time at university helping make this project successful.”

She was also an exec of the African-Caribbean Society as a social media officer and took the lead in setting up the Black Law Society. She said it was incredibly gratifying to see it “going from an idea to a whole community of people coming to support and become members.”

Her determination to get involved and make a practical difference also had an impact on her experience on her course.

“I would say my most inspirational lecturer was Dr Elena Sherstoboeva,” Natania said. “She taught me Comparative Media Law and was also the leader in charge of my project in the Business Law Clinic. The way she taught and speaking to her, as well as working with her in the Business Law Clinic, really inspired my interest in media law, which has led to me now applying for a Masters with a focus on media.”