2021 winners and shortlist

Lynn Quinlivan  
Winner

Lynn’s ingenuity, creativity and exceptional communication skills has meant that this year, against the odds, she has been able to find crucial placement opportunities for our nursing students. She is held in extremely high esteem by our external partners and also, quite clearly, by her colleagues here at the University.

Linda Dalton  
Finalist

As the University's property law expert Linda's role in completing a crucial and highly complex real-estate sale was fundamental in putting the University in a good position to face the financial strains of the pandemic.

Sue Chick  
Finalist

Sue has supported our international staff, working students and visiting guests through a period of uncertainty and change regarding Brexit. Sue provides formal policy and guidance, has established strong relations with the Home Office and has been able to support the international workforce during a challenging time.

Adam Walker
Winner

As the Student Support Officer for our international students, Adam consistently champions student experience and ensures that students really are at the heart of every decision we take. This year Adam has shown outstanding leadership qualities and resilience, taking all the challenges that this year has created in his stride, and never letting them dampen his enthusiasm for enhancing the student experience.

Karthik Kumar Bonkur
Finalist

As the President of the Students’ Union, Karthik has of course had the student experience at the heart of everything he has done. However, since the social aspect of student life has been sorely missing this year, Karthik has worked exceptionally hard to embed various virtual and online events which have become very successful and popular - a testament to his determination.

Julie Vuolo, Sam Onagoruwa, and Oluwole (Tope) Bamgbelu
Finalist

As part of the work the University is doing to eliminate the awarding gap between white and BAME students, Oluwole, with the support of Samuel and Julie, has designed and established a one to one coaching scheme for Black students who are at risk of dropping out. The team are determined that this scheme be seen as an opportunity for students to be empowered to succeed.

Thomas Andrews
Winner

Over the past year Tom has excelled professionally throughout the pandemic. Not only has he delivered above and beyond in his typical facilities management role within Estates, but he has also taken on responsibility for projects such as managing the logistics for creating a brand new asymptomatic testing centre on campus.

Gilmar Queiros
Finalist

Gilmar’s knowledge of the Higher Education sector is second to none and he works tirelessly to ensure that the quality of his, and his teams work upholds the reputation of the University in the business community. He is also a passionate Equality and Diversity Advocate, supporting social mobility and widening participation across the country.

Fiona Scott
Finalist

Fiona has led the one area of the Sports Village that has been permitted to remain open during the pandemic. She has done this in her usual professional way, creating an incredibly positive environment for her team and the elite athletes who have used her facility, whilst always ensuring that everyone is kept safe.

Claire Goodman
Winner

Claire is nationally and internationally renowned for her research on people living with dementia and those living in care homes. She has recently been awarded National Institute of Health Research Senior Investigator status and her exceptional reputation both nationally and internationally makes her a truly leading light in research at Herts.

Constantine Sandis
Finalist

Constantine is a leading authority on the ‘philosophy of action’, and which expertise has led to a recent collaboration with Microsoft Research Cambridge on research that explores the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence. His work has formed an integral part of the University’s REF2021 submission for Philosophy.

Andreas Chrysanthou
Finalist

Andreas has developed an exceptional research and innovation profile and in particular has sustained a 13-year relationship with C4 Carbides, a global power tool accessories manufacturer. His research has led to changes in the company’s processing approach which has arguably yielded the top-performing diamond drill on the global market.

Karen Robins
Winner

Karen passion for the professional development of her team means she actively encourages them to continually grow their expertise by experimenting with new technologies and connecting with the wider University. She sets clear goals and objectives while allowing her team the autonomy to make their own choices about how best to achieve them.

Alex Hall
Finalist

Over the past year Alex has really shown his innate empathy and compassion for each team member’s individual circumstances, and has gone to great lengths to ensure the team continues to have a feeling of togetherness and of being one unit despite not being physically together.

Jo Stuart
Finalist

Jo displays an infectious passion for her role. She consistently shows her team what leadership is truly about: giving clarity on the team’s direction, challenging them to be the best they can be, and encouraging them to use their knowledge and expertise to help support and drive the University forward.

Catherine Manthorpe  
Winner

Catherine excels at building relationships across the University through her preparedness to listen, explain, support and take upon herself the resolution of tasks. She is a caring and compassionate manager, supporting her team and encouraging their professional development at all opportunities.

Dr Mariana Lilley  
Finalist

David Allen
Finalist

David has a consistently positive attitude to work, which in a challenging year has helped others remain positive too. His attitude to teaching online has been inspirational, and his focus on an excellent, high quality student experience ensures that student outcomes are strong and colleagues are proud to work on the programme.

Alex Ulrich
Winner

As placements for paramedic students were paused during the pandemic, the paramedic team – led by Alex – created “Paramedic Simulation Fortnight” to fill that essential hands-on experience gap. The value of this experience to her students is clear, with one commenting ‘Simulation Fortnight has genuinely been one of the most valuable learning experiences I have ever had.’

Michael Wright
Finalist

Michael Wright is an exemplary and inspirational colleague who brightens the life of all students and staff who come into to contact with him. He values and appreciates every individual student and supports and encourages them to achieve great things, and to build on their own passions, interests, intellectual curiosity and ways to create positive change.

Tia Robinson
Finalist

Tia is passionate about building the mathematical capital of our student teachers so that they have the knowledge and skills to challenge social disadvantage in our primary schools. She is also an exceptional staff mentor, providing thoughtful and well-considered feedback for less experienced colleagues to learn from.

Jimmy Pressly
Finalist

Jimmy’s passion for teaching and encouraging students to achieve their best is remarkable. His professionalism and enthusiasm in creating interactive content in novel ways to engage students was especially praised by his students. His willingness to share best practice technology tips has also earned him recognition and appreciation among his colleagues.

Jahid Hasan
Finalist

Jahid’s qualities go far beyond his engaging and interactive teaching style. He embraces student needs for effective pastoral support alongside high quality teaching to fully realise their potential. Student wellbeing really matters to him he has shown particular support to our international students during a very challenging and potentially isolating year.

Helen Monribot
Finalist

Helen’s approach to teaching is innovative and evolutionary – with a constant commitment to keeping abreast of developments in learning and teaching. She actively encourages student feedback, helping to shape a new Employability Skills module, making her a real asset to the University.

Madeleine Flanagan
Finalist

It is not only Madeleine’s dedication and professionalism that are hugely valued by her students, but also her commitment to pastoral care which is exemplary. She is an outstanding communicator and a noted authority on dermatology, and the feedback from her students reflects that she truly is a star in the School.

Thomas Baker
Finalist

Thomas displays a real joy in teaching and seeing the students develop to their full potential. He was also pivotal in the redevelopment of the Aerospace, Automotive & Mechanical MEng/BEng programmes - enhancing the practical, hands-on, application of engineering education at the University even further.

Annie Clarke, Greta Mazeikaite, Thelma Gossel
Winner

This team of three School Community Organisers have worked as a unified whole, exceeding all expectations in terms of motivation, compassion and enthusiasm to bring the staff and students of the School of Life and Medical Sciences together. They represent the very best of their School and are exemplary ambassadors for the University and for all that we stand for.

João Pinheiro Camacho
Finalist

João’s determination and energy makes him a true role model to his classmates. Over the past year he has shown outstanding leadership and organisational skills around co-curricular activities, focussing on offering as many creative and community building opportunities to as many students as possible.

Snekha Ravichandran
Finalist

Snekha is an unfailingly professional, courteous and respectful student, but it is as a Student Ambassador that she has truly thrived. She genuinely lives the University’s values, promotes the University with genuine and heartfelt positivity. She is destined to be an amazing educator of young children and a wonderful role-model.

Charlotte Bute
Finalist

It is not often you come across a more proactive, professional, ambitious student than Charlotte. Having secured numerous professional placements during her studies to enhance her employability, she has also delivered two large-scale local events as well as being a University ambassador and Programme representative.

Anna Lampard
Finalist

Anna’s professionalism and adaptability as a student is reflected in her ability to expertly manage studying working part time, looking after her child, and advocating strongly to
create change within the School. She is a fantastic ambassador for the Hertfordshire Law Clinic, was instrumental in establishing the School’s Students/Staff Parent Network, and ensures her voice is respectful and representative of all.

Kiyan Beasant
Finalist

Kiyan is an exceptional student representative, unfailing in his commitment to the University and fellow students. He is both a much-appreciated contact for prospective students and a support for all current students both in the clinical and academic setting.

Chloe McKendrick
Finalist

Chloe embodies our University’s graduate attributes through her integrity, respect for and embrace of diversity, commitment to inclusive practices, adaptability during the pandemic, and her desire to enhance the wellbeing of others. She is a committed advocate for the LGBT+ community, working to create a safe space and enhancing the voice of that community at our University.

Manuel Gomes Rosmaninho
Finalist

Manuel never ceases to impress with his problem-solving skills, technical ability, initiative, strong sense of responsibility towards our learning community and positive attitude. Throughout his studies he has demonstrated not only intellectual rigour and innovative thinking, but also compassion and kindness for his peers at all times.

Michelle Johnson MBE
Winner – UK Alumnae

Michelle is the Chief Nurse and Director of Allied Health Professionals at Whittington Health NHS Trust, and is known across her sector for championing diversity and inclusion. During the pandemic, Michelle was reasoned voice amongst the clamour of noise, giving people strength and clarity when it was needed.

Hamid Ibrahim
Winner – International Alumnus

Since graduating in 2017, Hamid has joined visual effects studio Moving Picture Company, and co-founded his entertainment company, Kugali. Kugali is a leading augmented reality experience creator, telling stories inspired by African culture, and has recently joined forces with Walt Disney Animation Studios to create a first-of-its kind series titled

Ian Grimes
Winner

Over the past two years, Ian has taken the lead in changing attitudes and encouraging debate within Estates. He is not afraid to call out behaviour that is not inclusive and works hard to ensure make Equality Diversity and Inclusion is taken seriously by all and is a key priority on everyone’s agenda.

Carrie Ricketts and Dr Samantha Rolfe
Finalists

Both Carrie and Sam have demonstrated an enduring dedication and drive to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity over many years. Their approach of engaging others in discussion and debate, speaking passionately about issues, and providing 1-2-1 support have led to considerable improvements in the way we think and embrace diversity and equal

Simon Freeman
Finalist

As the hospitality industry was decimated by the pandemic Simon’s ingenuity and ambitious nature kept his team busy and engaged with the local community, arranging apple crumbles for a local hospice and creating a student food box service to help those isolating on campus.

Dr Stéphane Farenga
Finalist 

Always welcoming, friendly and supportive Stéphane makes a point of putting everyone at ease. He continually offers creative ideas, always striving to enhance the student experience. He is one of the most trusted members of Law School staff for professional, working advice.