Awarded for actively advocating the voice of students and representing their collective interests.
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Ellie Toombs – BA Business Economics
What they did:
“This individual has done a placement year like many students do and has come back to University for their final year. They will admit themselves that adjusting back to University life and how things are done here as opposed to placement has been difficult for them. Not only this they were successfully appointed Department Rep for their Department, so has been battling to settle back into the swing of final year whilst completing the role as a Department Rep. They know that they have struggled but they haven’t once let it deter them from contributing to improving the student voice and doing what they can for the students in the department. They have worked tirelessly to juggle everything that has come up, including some personal instances, and still put students at the forefront of everything they are doing. They have used their struggles and their experience as a way to help others, choosing a project to work on which centres around the experience of placement students with ideas involving giving tips about securing placement, adjusting to the placement life and the realities of settling back into university and giving the students the advice that they wish they had achieved. Where it would have been easy for this individual to neglect their role and focus on their final year, they have taken it in their stride and turned their experience into a positive one. They are an outstanding Department Rep and have the student community at the front of their mind in all the work they do.”
What was the impact?
“By providing advice for placement students, it opened their eyes to the realities of the placement experience. No one is doubting that the opportunity to go into the workplace of your field for a year is a fantastic opportunity, but sometimes it is difficult to consider how the students will adapt back to university life, especially doing all of this during a pandemic. This is giving a huge range of students guidance and helping them to prepare for final year. “
How it inspired others
“This individual has inspired others because they have taken their negative experience and their personal struggle and used it as a strength and identified that this is something that other people experience so is using their voice to educate others. They have shown that with determination and strength, you can overcome your struggle. I have no doubt that this individual will go onto do amazing things during their career and life. “
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Amy Brown– BSC HON SPORT COACHING WITH FOUNDATION YEAR
What they did:
“This student has been a main player in the student voice on this course for three years. They have been an active member of the student leadership group, which has driven positive change on the course over the past three years. The panicle of this student’s work in this area related to difficult conversations around a module. During staff-student committees, the student conducted themselves in a professional way at all times and remained resolute and clam when delivering difficult messages to staff. The points that needed raising could have been awkward and some others may have retreated from making some comments. This student did not, and managed to deliver them with poise and clarity. In helping future students through the recording of videos and being a key member of the new Women in Coaching advocacy group, this student has cemented themselves as one of best course representative we have ever had.”
What was the impact?
“Without doubt, this course is in a better place and is more informed because of the work of this student. Always willing to go above and beyond to seek answers for other students and to inform staff of general feeling among the group. It has meant communication and understanding between the staff and students has remained constant. I think this way of working has inspired a number of other students, I think it has kept staff honest and, finally, has maintained the quality of aspects of the degree.“
How it inspired others
“This student is a role model to other students. The way they act, the determination they bring to everything they do, the way they approach adversity and the engagement they have with the course is something other students admire. This student does not make a song and dance about the way they are and, in some ways, goes about their business because it ‘is the right thing to do’ rather that because of the credit they receive. It is a lesson for us all, including staff, in how humble people can make a positive impact.”
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Ella Spencer– BA Hon English Literature
What they did:
“This person is an inspirational student in more ways than one, to the point that they could be nominated for numerous of these awards. Not only are they an incredible student and incredible peer, but they also actively converse with other students to make an impact within the University, as a Student Rep. As well as all of this, they are assisting a local newspaper on their placement to publicly share important local stories that can help individuals in the community.”
What was the impact?
“The impact of their hard work, dedication and commitment is that they are able to inspire students to actively ameliorate society and to want the change the world around us for the better. They encourage you to work hard, help others and stay committed to your dreams.”
How it inspired others:
“This inspired others as it has meant that more students are now actively attempting to help others, even with small acts of kindness in every-day life, as well as attempting to help ourselves. This person is the definition of an exceptional student of this University, and despite their difficulties in their personal life, always ensures that the people around them are okay, specifically mentally. This person has also assisted me in my mental health challenges, of which has made such a big difference in my life.”