Celebrating the Best of Our Community — The SU Awards Shortlist
Every year, the SU Awards give us the chance to pause and recognise the people who make student life at university genuinely better. This year's nominees are an exceptional group from reps who went far beyond their job descriptions to societies that built real communities, and individuals who gave up their own time to help others. Here's a look at everyone who made the shortlist.
Exeter Academic Rep of the Year
Claire Kenyangi worked as a student representative to strengthen engagement, communication, and representation across the law cohort. She delivered presentations in first-year lectures to encourage students to apply for Subject Chair and Course Representative roles, and shared CV and cover letter templates to support early professional development.
As part of the Student Consultation Committee, she contributed to planning the Summer 2026 graduation, suggesting improvements to enhance the celebratory experience. She met with Law Department staff to raise recurring student concerns, explore solutions, and improve participation in university events.
She also volunteered at the student module fair, explaining representative roles and collecting feedback on module experiences, and represented student views at the Big Rep Meeting, particularly regarding changes to exam release days. She held meetings with the Students’ Union President to discuss challenges within the Subject Chair role, including communication issues and limited co-chair support, while proposing ideas to improve recruitment and collaboration. In addition, she discussed enhancements to the rep application process, met with the Library team to promote academic resources, and maintained regular communication with students across all year groups to gather feedback on teaching and opportunities.
She also contributed to the Athena Swan Awards by highlighting gender-related challenges in group work dynamics, and supported the introduction of termly seminar discussion time, which helped identify concerns around feedback, employability, and transitions, improving student voice and engagement across the programme.
Daisy Minnett - I don't think Daisy realised that her signing up to be a course rep would result in her being a champion of disability rights at the university, but it has, and she has taken it all so well in her stride. I appreciate the work Daisy has undertaken both within and outside of the rep role to ensure disabled students within CEC feel seen and included; her efforts to champion disabled students when it came to the accessibility of the CEC Careers Fair were remarkable, and though there is still much work to be done, Daisy ensured that the fair was as accessible as it could be to all students this year and helped to ensure that all disabled students in CEC had their voices heard. Thank you Daisy for using your role to champion underrepresented voices!
George William - George is one of our FANTASTIC Year 2 Reps for BMBS who is both super engaged and proactive in his role.
He has come to every Student Feedback related meeting incredibly well prepared with not only a great range of feedback from his peers but with a solution focused mindset. The maturity and understanding that they bring to the role means that they've created a real partnership when it comes to making effective change within the BMBS programmme. In particular, his proactive approach to feedback allows for issues to be raised and resolved before they become a problem.
For example, George noticed an issue around lecture recordings not being uploaded to ELE for a block of Cornwall lectures. He also gathered information from his peers in Devon provide information about the lack of recordings - meaning neither group were able to review the lecture when it comes to revision later in the term.
By being proactive with flagging this issue - George had actually flagged a technical issue with the system - the team were able to resolve the issue for not only these lectures but for future lectures!
This is just one of many examples of George's proactive and professional approach to being a Rep - he's been FANTASTIC and we hope he continues to be a rep with us in future years.
Exeter Education Excellence Award
Mary Ellison is described by one student as the reason they are still at university. A mentor of exceptional skill and warmth, she has helped her mentee overcome barrier after barrier, and the impact on their academic outcomes in third year has been transformative.
Dr Sham Agashi consistently goes above and beyond for BMBS students and for young people in the community who want to become doctors. He leads the Exeter Scholars Medicine Programme, creates opportunities for widening participation students, and always makes sure feedback is heard and acted upon.
Dr Edvard Glücksman teaches with the kind of energy and genuine curiosity that students remember long after they graduate. He brings alumni into tutorials, connects weekly topics to real-world news, holds 1-1s to support students personally and professionally, and creates a classroom where every voice matters.
Falmouth Academic Rep of the Year
Malichi Campbell has been a cornerstone of his course for three years, supporting revalidation, assisting at auditions and interviews, and leading his year group with compassion and empathy. His ability to spot students who are struggling under the radar and connect them with help early has made a quiet but meaningful difference.
Ebony Hunt was first noticed for her exceptional work at a micro-internship with the Falmouth Painting Platform, and she has more than delivered since becoming FSA Department Rep. Proactive, solutions-focused, and deeply reliable, Ebony has built genuine trust between students and staff.
Siobhan Dearling is described by those who nominate her as the most dedicated rep in the SU — and the evidence backs that up. She secured dedicated lockers for her course, drove changes to modules and timetables, stepped up to represent courses that lacked their own reps, launched a social media account to celebrate robotics and computing in Cornwall, and even spent the summer gathering feedback from graduates. She works tirelessly, and she deserves every bit of recognition she receives.
Falmouth Education Excellence Award
Tanya Griffiths is the kind of course lead who makes even planning regulation feel engaging. Architecture students describe her as a fountain of knowledge who never stops making connections, creating opportunities, and driving the course forward — all while making sure student voices reach the university.
Michelle Hammond is devoted to every student she teaches, going consistently above and beyond what her role requires at the Fashion and Textile Institute. Ask any student who has been taught by her, and they will say the same thing: she makes everyone feel seen.
John Boddy is more than an academic to many students — he's a warm, empathetic presence on campus who actively ensures that students and staff from all backgrounds feel valued. His commitment to inclusion isn't an idea; it's a daily practice.
Event of the Year
PHEM Soc's Big PHEM Day was a genuinely ambitious undertaking — a full day of teaching sessions, interactive scenarios, and workshops involving eight external organisations including Cornwall Air Ambulance and SWAST. The committee also secured six accredited CPD hours from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, making it a career-shaping event for everyone who attended.
The Islamic Society's Open Iftar brought together over 110 people from all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures to break fast, share food from across the world, and simply enjoy each other's company. With traditional décor, cultural dress, and an honest and moving presentation on the meaning of Ramadan, it was, in the words of one attendee, a genuine 10 out of 10.
The Dance Society's Performance Showcase united multiple societies on stage and brought students, friends, and family together for an evening of performance that everyone loved.
Outstanding Committee Member
Gina Barrett has transformed the Flamank Law Society as its president — growing the social media following from 590 to 835, achieving the highest ever mooting sign-up in a single term, organising the society's first international trip to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and collaborating with seven different societies throughout the year. Law students in Cornwall have never had a better year.
Cole Dickinson is a founding member of FXU Swimming Society, which has grown under his leadership to over 90 members. This year he secured official Swim England team status after years of negotiation and raised alumni funding so every qualifying swimmer could attend the national BUSL finals for the first time. He graduates this year and will be greatly missed.
Jacob Saunders — known to his teammates as 'Barry' — has been the backbone of CSM Hockey as treasurer and former president. Despite injury keeping him off the pitch for much of the season, he turned up to training, mentored newer players, supported the committee, and was reliably the person with an answer to every question.
Society of the Year
Flamank Law Society has had an exceptional year — innovative programming, a strong and consistent social media presence, and a genuine sense of community that has made it one of the most active societies on campus.
Tremough Follies, the Musical Theatre Society, has built on three years of growth to deliver what members describe as their strongest year yet. High-quality productions, varied workshops and socials, and — most importantly — a welcoming environment free from tension or cliques. For many, it has become a home.
Penryn First Aid Society has grown from three members to a society that provides bi-weekly training sessions, runs multi-agency scenarios with HM Coastguard, Cornwall Fire and Rescue, and SWAST, and offers students the unique opportunity to volunteer as Community First Responders to 999 calls. Real lives have been saved as a result.
Sports Club of the Year
Ladies Football has had a season to be proud of — a motivated, welcoming team that achieved one of the highest scores of the season despite injuries and cancellations and has grown a community of spectators as well as players.
The Aerial Club has delivered regular sessions, external workshops, a performance showcase, a photoshoot, and merchandise — all driven by a committee whose passion for the sport is genuinely infectious.
CSM Men's Hockey raised £3,098 for Movember, integrated freshers into the squad from day one, built connections across campus through mixed socials, and demonstrated what an inclusive, respectful male sports culture looks like in practice.
Inclusivity Award
Cornwall Medics Netball and Fitness re-affiliated this year with inclusion at its heart — offering lighter sessions for those new to the sport, partnering with Netball Development Trust on women's health resources for young people in Africa, and securing Alumni Award funding to reduce session costs and open up access to more students.
Kylie Merrick has supported applicants and new students as a Student Ambassador for MA Fine Art Online, drawing on her own experience as a single working mum navigating the shift from on-campus undergraduate study to online postgraduate learning.
Naabil Khan is the founder of Skin For All, an educational platform covering 30-plus dermatological conditions across diverse skin tones, which has now reached over 10,000 page views. Beyond the platform, Naabil has contributed to a CEDAW consultation, spoken at the Truro School International Women's Day Business Breakfast, and consistently championed health equity in Cornwall and far beyond.
Dedication to the Students' Union
Claire Kenyangi has demonstrated a clear drive to create opportunities and foster inclusion across campus. As President of the Women in Business Society, she identified a gap in provision between campuses and took action to address it, leading the flagship “She Means Business with WIB” event. This brought together students and industry professionals, equipping attendees with insight into career pathways, practical application advice, and the confidence to pursue competitive opportunities. Alongside this, her role as Law Subject Chair has been rooted in strong communication—actively gathering student feedback and working with staff, including the Library Liaison Librarian, to improve awareness and access to academic support services. As a Clyde & Co Campus Ambassador, Claire further extended her impact by promoting accessible career opportunities, hosting engaging events, and creating inclusive spaces that encouraged students from all backgrounds to recognise the value of their transferable skills.
Sammy Kraft is recognised for his consistent presence and approachability within the Students’ Union. Regularly engaging with SU spaces, asking questions, and connecting with staff and peers, Sammy’s commitment to being an active and involved member of the student community stands out. His friendly and open nature helps foster a welcoming environment, making the SU more accessible to others.
Siobhan Dearling’s dedication as a department representative is exceptional. A tireless advocate for students within the Games Academy’s computing department, she has worked persistently to drive meaningful change—securing dedicated lockers, influencing module and timetable improvements, and pushing for more relevant teaching content. Even when faced with resistance, she has remained focused on representing her peers and achieving tangible outcomes. Beyond her own department, Siobhan has ensured that students without representation still had a voice, organising meetings and championing their needs. Her commitment extends further through her promotion of computing and robotics via social media, as well as her outreach work encouraging prospective students in Cornwall. By continuing to gather feedback from graduates, she ensures that student voices continue to shape the future of the course.
Campaign of the Year
Rebecca Kay's OCD Awareness campaign has been thoughtful, sustained, and genuinely impactful. She shared her own experience of OCD in a national webinar, distributed resources across student spaces, and reached out directly to personal tutors — not just raising awareness, but creating the conditions for longer-term, systemic support.
CSM RFC's Sport in Mind mental health awareness campaign raised over £10,000 for charity across the year in a way that was community-centred and fun — including the beloved 'Bottle Match' fundraiser that got the whole campus involved and talking.
Angel Rusu's Stop AI FXU campaign gathered over 800 student signatures against the incorporation of generative AI into creative courses, produced a widely-celebrated anti-AI zine with contributions from creatives across the university, and staged an exhibition at Woodlane to celebrate what the university was built to nurture: real, human creativity.
Fundraising Award
CSM FC raised £4,045 for Headway UK in memory of former player and captain Jack Geldard. It is a tribute that speaks volumes about the love and respect Jack earned during his time in the community.
Tom Hays, Charity Secretary of CSMRFC, helped the club raise over £11,000 this year — with energy and enthusiasm so infectious it caught the attention of Channel 5.
Isabelle Beckett ran 50 miles in a single day for The Women's Centre Cornwall, raising £1,045. She battled coastal storms, a recent diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder, and over a year of preparation. The charity nominated her for a BBC fundraising award. It is hard to imagine a more deserving one.
Andy Hocking Award — For work in the Community
Walter Hammond has effectively run Penryn Produce as a business — unpaid, around dissertation deadlines — out of genuine passion for its benefit to students, the local community, and nearby farms.
Siobhan Dearling's dedication needs no further introduction here. The fact that she appears across multiple award categories says everything.
Sammy Kraft has, since his first year, voluntarily responded to hundreds of 999 calls as a Community First Responder — through nights, weekends, and Storm Goretti — while also founding Penryn First Aid Society and helping 15 fellow students qualify as responders alongside him.
We look forward to welcoming the shortlisted nominees to our awards ceremony in May! Stay tuned for the winners' announcements!