The work of BU’s student ambassadors was recognised during the first BU Student Ambassador Celebration event.
Ambassadors who have gone the extra mile in supporting university schemes and activities had their achievements celebrated through a number of awards.
![Nominees and winners at the BU Student Ambassador Celebration Nominees and winners at the BU Student Ambassador Celebration](https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/bournemouth_wysiwyg/public/assets/images/Student%20Ambassador%20Awards.jpg?itok=KAKyrqZe)
These included work supporting specific initiatives such as the Books and Stories scheme, where students go into schools to encourage and support pupils to read, as well as activity around STEM, outreach, and recruitment.
Ambassadors were also recognised in categories including Service Excellence and Outstanding Newcomer, while the Student Ambassador of the Year award – voted for by the students themselves – was won by Stephen Moss.
Ambassador Ieva Severinaite won the Service Excellence and Outreach Awards, and was nominated for several others.
She said: “Being a Student Ambassador has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Thanks to working on so many different projects with the team, I have grown as a person, become a better leader, improved my public speaking skills and I got to meet and work with some amazing and inspiring people.
“But most of all, working as a Student Ambassador has helped me realise my true passion for education and I hope to carry on in this field and pursue a career in outreach.
She added: “Receiving not just one but two awards at the Student Ambassador Celebration was such an honour!
“Being recognised for the work I do with passion and pride every day meant so much to me and the event was a perfect ending to my university experience. A huge thank you to everyone - staff and student - for making my time as Student Ambassador so special!”
Graduates also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences of being a Student Ambassador and how it enhanced both their university experience and employability upon leaving BU.
This was the first time that the Celebration event has been held, which took place in the Fusion building and was followed by networking.
There are currently 347 student ambassadors employed by Marketing and Communications, with approximately 850 assignments available each month.
This includes supporting 12 specialist schemes, the majority of which are based within local schools, as well as recruitment activity like Open Days and sharing their advice and experiences of being a student through online blogs and vlogs.
Head of UK Student Recruitment and Outreach Nicola Murray-Fagan said: “Our student ambassadors are at the very heart of our recruitment and outreach work, as well as contributing to many other events and initiatives across the university - we couldn’t do our jobs without them!
“We know they get so much out of the experience as well – developing, growing and enhancing important employability and personal skills.
“It was great to be able to take some time to recognise and celebrate their hard work and contributions. We’re very proud of our students and the event was a fitting celebration of their achievements.”
Full list of winners and nominees:
Primary Programme
Nominees: Carlyle Collins, Valjo Kutt
Winner: Sam Jones
Books and Stories
Nominees: Bethany Beynon, Jamarah Irish
Winner: Samantha Clayson
Service Excellence
Nominees: Mihail Rusanov, Bethany Beynon
Winner: Ieva Severinaite
Blogs and Vlogs
Nominees: Jessica Alexander, Iakovos Panagopoulos
Winner: Oliver Carpenter
Mentoring
Nominees: Shannon Hardy, Amber Williams
Winner: David Hurst
Outstanding Newcomer
Nominees: Dan De Carvalho, Shrada Gurung
Winner: Iakovos Panagopoulos
STEM
Nominees: Bekky Andrews & Carlyle Collins
Winner: Georgina Butler
Outreach
Nominees: Gemma Renyard & Callum Blitz
Winner: Ieva Severinaite
Outstanding Contribution
Nominees: Ieva Severinaite, Gustaf Sander & Valjo Kutt
Winner: Shannon Hardy
Subject Specialists
Nominees: Kit Chow, Stephen Moss
Winner: Simon Vaisey
Recruitment
Nominees: Lucy Hayball, Shannon Hardy
Winner: Patricia Obawole
Student Ambassador of the Year
Winner: Stephen Moss