Head of Study Support Alison Griffin wins NEON Award
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Alison Griffin, Head of Study Support at UWL, won the Contribution to Widening Access Award at the NEON Awards at the Palace of Westminster on Monday 2 December. NEON is the professional organisation supporting those involved in widening access to higher education. The Award recognises the work of committed and inspiring individuals who drive forward widening access work.
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Now in its eleventh year, the NEON Awards provide a platform to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of NEON’s members, and their learners in widening access to higher education and enabling social mobility.
Alison is Head of Study Support at UWL with responsibility for providing support to students through academic skills workshops and 1:1 study support appointments, Peer Mentor pairings and Functional Skills maths and English opportunities.
The judges were particularly impressed that Alison overcame challenges to complete her degree and with how she has drawn on her own experiences to inspire future students,”
said Professor Graeme Atherton, Director of NEON.
Her work on the Study Skills Summer School, which particularly supports those from underrepresented backgrounds, has made a real difference to student success.”
Alison commented:
It is lovely to win this award for work that I enjoy so much! The whole team share my desire to see applicants, offer holders and current students develop confidence and academic skills that can support them through each stage of their course.
As a former UWL mature student, I nearly withdrew during the fifth week of my course. I was convinced I did not have what it takes to obtain a degree. Thankfully, friends and staff convinced me to keep trying and I am so glad I stayed.
It is particularly special to work with mature offer holders at the Study Skills Summer School and see the shift from uncertainty to confidence and excitement about starting a degree. This three-day event brings together support teams, library staff, academics and the Students’ Union to help the Study Support team. I am chuffed to bits to win this award but know how much I owe to the people around me who make things happen and to UWL for letting me pilot my ideas.”
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