Meet our Student of the Year finalists!

Congratulations to all our students who have been shortlisted in the Student of the Year Category at the Vice-Chancellor's Awards 2020. Our finalists this year showcase the fantastic work that takes place across our student community and continue to represent the University’s values through their incredible achievements and inspiring personal attributes. 

We will be announcing the winner in our virtual Vice-Chancellor's Award ceremony at 4pm on Thursday 25 June - Join the VCA event here!

We look forward to celebrating with you - Go Herts!

Meet our finalists: 

Rianna Read

School of Creative Arts 

Interior Architecture and Design student, Rianna has overcome great adversity in order to succeed at University. Performing at a very high standard across her studies, Rianna achieved a first-class rating in all modules and has been accepted for a one-year work placement experience in top London interior design company, Gensler, last year. A fantastic achievement! 

  

Mitchelle Sanghvi 

School of Engineering and Computer Science

Final year MEng Computer Science student and School Community Organiser (SCO), Mitchelle has been a force of nature in her commitment to enhancing the learning experiences of our Computer Science students. Her tireless and effective leadership and organisational skills around co-curricular activities, focussing on building communities and offering opportunities have been second to none.  

Stephen Williams

School of Education 

Thriving in leadership roles, Stephen has initiated projects throughout his placements, that pull on his vast range of interpersonal skills, to inspire young minds and provide exciting opportunities that are rich for pupils’ education as well as their personal development. A gifted and promising future primary school teacher, with an innate aptitude for creative and innovative thinking.  

Louis Filer

Hertfordshire Business School 

Louis’ intellectual curiosity has developed significantly, alongside his critical and evaluation skills, achieving fantastic results in all three years - with some grades as high as 90%. He has engaged with a range of transformational opportunities such as taking up a placement opportunity and summer internship. His time in industry has helped keep him on track to secure an excellent job after graduation! 

Kelechi Vivian Ukokwelu

School of Health and Social Work 

International MSc Adult Nursing student, Kelechi has organised study groups for her cohort, helping foster a positive community spirit among international students who may have otherwise become homesick or lonely. Kelechi has established herself as an excellent ambassador for the programme and the University, helping recommend further students to the programme from Nigeria. 

Amro Bakkar 

School of Humanities 

Overcoming unimaginable hardship, Mass Communications student, Amro was the recipient of the first refugee scholarship at Herts. He graduates with a First Class Honours degree due to sheer hard work, resilience, and natural ability. Amro supports the University by giving talks for the refugee group, blogging about his experience of leaving Syria for Times Higher Education and recording the Media Matters Talks for fellow students. He continues to work alongside his studies to support his family. A truly inspiring individual! 

Harry McCourt

Hertfordshire Law School

Always a high achiever, Harry was awarded the Routledge Law Prize for the Best Performing Level 4 Student. The consistency of academic performance, and standard that Harry has shown is even more remarkable in light of the extensive co-curricular activities that he undertakes such as, mooting, trials and working in a local CAB. Harry has been awarded several scholarships, all of which require excellent grades.  

Lucy Mackintosh

School of Life and Medical Sciences 

In her role as an SCO, Lucy has generated numerous ideas that have contributed positively to her school. She has also worked wonders to build and grow the Psychology student society and achieved highly in her academic studies. It is no surprise that she won ‘SCO of the Year’ at the Students’ Union Awards 2020 as well as the award for ‘Student Rep of the year’ in the School Dean’s awards last year! 

Ciara Zelda Brown

School of Physics Astronomy and Mathematics

Ciara’s is known for her proactive and collegiate work, particularly as a rep and SCO. Her incredible academic qualities and personal values have recently been rewarded with a very prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. As an entrepreneur and advocate of STEM subjects she was shortlisted by the University for one of our ‘Flare’ entrepreneurial awards – where she gave an inspiring presentation!