AN D SC SO HO CI OL ET O Y F ST HE UD AL EN TH T
CE LE BR AT IO N
2026
S D R A AW STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR ADULT NURSING PROGRAMMES Oluchi Emma Okoroafor
UNIVERSITY PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DIRECTORATE OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY Georgina Mary Bale UNIVERSITY PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DIRECTORATE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Olivia Wasp UNIVERSITY PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DIRECTORATE OF ALLIED AND PUBLIC HEALTH Clarice Shen Xin Liu UNIVERSITY PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE DIRECTORATE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND SPORT Imogen Glass
Oluchi is an outstanding student leader who coproduced the Student Wellbeing and Academic Buddy (SWAB) scheme, significantly improving peer learning, wellbeing and first-time pass rates. Her work has gained national recognition while her academic excellence and engagement have enhanced the student experience and profile of the University.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS NURSING PROGRAMMES Megan Dalton Megan is an inspiring student nurse who has overcome challenges with resilience and compassion. Her kindness, empathy and consistently high standards over the past three years reflect her exceptional dedication. She has a bright future ahead of her.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PROGRAMMES Andrew Fender Andrew deserves this award for his outstanding dedication, resilience, and commitment to becoming a mental health nurse. Balancing family life and academic demands, he consistently demonstrates compassion, professionalism, and active engagement, embodying the values of the nursing profession.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR MIDWIFERY PROGRAMMES Laura Jill Christopher Laura has worked tirelessly to complete the course to a very high standard despite facing numerous personal challenges. Her strength and resilience are a credit to her and her family as well as the University.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SOCIAL POLICY Imogen Swithern Always diligent and keen to uncover the truth, Immy is a breath of fresh air when it comes to understanding society and policy. Her keen interest stems from genuine curiosity, dedication and intrigue about the subject, qualities which make her an excellent student and deserving recipient.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY Hedda Tolefsen Roeyem Hedda received a grade of 100 for her outstanding dissertation: ‘The Shield of Shame and the Sword of Hostility: Neutralisation Theory and the Construction of Oscillating Masculinities in Incel-Adjacent Online Forums’. The dissertation achieved the extremely rare feat of a 100/100 grade, and was noted by the external examiner as one of the best pieces of work she has ever seen at undergraduate level.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SOCIAL WORK (INCLUDING INTEGRATED PRACTICE IN LEARNING DISABILITY) Shaun Nigel Robert Shaun has shown exceptional resilience throughout the programme, overcoming profound personal and health challenges while completing a demanding final year placement. His quiet determination, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to becoming a dual‑registered practitioner deeply impressed the academic team, who admire his strength of character and dedication to his future profession.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY Samaira Azim Samaira has developed skills in practice, reflection and reflexivity which enable her to connect with clients in need in a professional and ethical way. She demonstrates deep compassion and a strong positive regard for others. She has become the ethical, passionate, socially just therapist she set out to be at the beginning of her degree.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Ashira Sugarman Ashira has excelled in her research placement with a local mental health trust, positively contributing to best practice around solitary confinement on secure wards. She has also excelled in her academic work, all while raising a very young family. She deserves this award due to dedication to her studies and the profession.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS Jessie T Pearson Jessie has worked exceptionally hard, achieving outstanding results throughout her degree whilst also voluntarily participating in various activities outside of her studies. She has continuously demonstrated dedication to evidence-based practice as a vital part of clinical work, and helped with PhD students’ research.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR RADIOGRAPHY Jaafar Jacob Yousef Albazooni Jafaar drives their own development through full engagement in CPD and active involvement beyond the curriculum, while supporting peers as a student representative. They strengthen the cohort, engage with the wider community, and offer constructive challenge that helps shape and improve the programme.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PODIATRY Helen Herd Helen is a highly motivated and accomplished student who consistently demonstrates academic excellence, professional commitment, and a strong dedication to patient care. Her engagement in research, representation at a national conference, and contribution to community health make her a truly deserving award winner.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR NURSING ASSOCIATE Gabriella Fee Gabby is an exceptional future nursing associate whose compassion, courage, and leadership inspire everyone around her. She won the first Chief Nursing Officer Award for her amazing contribution to person-centred care, and deserves this award in recognition of her talent and dedication to changing lives.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY Man Yui Chung Man Yui Chung is an outstanding role model who combines academic excellence with leadership and compassion. He has played a pivotal role in supporting international students through innovative placement‑preparation resources, excelling in practice‑based placements, and consistently enhancing the student experience through his professionalism, inclusivity, and peer support.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMMES Rebecca Skinner Becky served as Course Representative for Psychology & Criminology for two years before becoming Psychology School Representative this year. She regularly supports Open Days as a Student Ambassador, demonstrating a strong commitment to the university community. She approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm, professionalism, and determination.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SPORT AND EXERCISE PROGRAMMES Quefa Carter Quefa has achieved some excellent marks across a range of modules and assessment types, despite facing significant and personal challenges. These only came to light during the latter part of her degree, so she managed them with quiet resilience and courage. Quefa has been an absolute pleasure to teach and, despite these difficulties, always approaches her studies and life with optimism. We wish her all the very best for the future.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Charlotte Mealand Charlotte thoroughly deserves this award for outstanding academic achievement and impact in the workplace. She has provided leadership within Oldham Council’s Healthy Weight programme. This included leading on innovative work on food systems and the food environment. She is a future systems leader in the making!
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL POLICING Zuhia Jabbar Zuhia has shown determination, hard work and growth during the course of her degree programme. She is supportive of her fellow students and has become confident and assured. She is a dedicated student with a strong work ethic. Her conscientiousness is reflected in her consistent achievement of high marks on every module.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR POLICING POLICE CONSTABLE DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP (GMP - PCDA) Megan L Mulheir Meg deserves this award for her exceptional resilience, professionalism and commitment. Despite challenging personal circumstances, she consistently excels in both operational duties and apprenticeship requirements, contributes meaningfully to organisational development through the NXGEN panel, and sets the gold standard in preparation, reflection and continuous learning.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR POSTGRADUATE (TAUGHT) STUDENT IN THE DIRECTORATE OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY Michael Frank Mike has worked tirelessly during his studies to ensure ‘Parity of Esteem’ for his patient group within an inner-city primary care centre. With his background as a mental health nurse, he has introduced key policy documents and processes to improve and enhance patient care.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR POSTGRADUATE (TAUGHT) STUDENT IN THE DIRECTORATE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Elizabeth Obembe Elizabeth has demonstrated exemplary engagement through full attendance, engagement and consistent participation in group activities and discussions.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR POSTGRADUATE (TAUGHT) STUDENT IN THE DIRECTORATE OF ALLIED AND PUBLIC HEALTH Zoliakha Savage Zoliakha is tackling one of the most urgent challenges facing the AHP workforce: ensuring neurodiverse colleagues do not just remain in the profession, but flourish within it. Grounded in theory and embedded in practice, her work demonstrates that Enhanced Practice has the power to change not just clinicians, but the cultures around them.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR POSTGRADUATE (TAUGHT) STUDENT IN THE DIRECTORATE OF PSYCHOLOGY & SPORT Megan Victoria Billington Megan has demonstrated academic excellence, with dedication to her studies. She has also shown a great deal of personal development during her time at the University of Salford and commitment to her peers as student representative.
POST GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD - THE PROFESSOR LINDSEY DUGDILL MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PHD Dr Deborah Mizzi Dr Mizzi produced a rigorous mixed‑methods PhD generating timely evidence on optimising breast cancer screening for women with dense breast tissue. She demonstrated exceptional productivity throughout her doctorate, publishing extensively and disseminating her work across clinical, academic, and policy audiences.
ALUMNI AWARD Jennifer Lockett Jennifer deserves this award for her exceptional academic achievement, remarkable resilience as a single parent, and her transformative contribution to culturally informed practice notably enhancing her team’s understanding of Jewish culture and improving the quality and inclusivity of care within her health visiting service.
DEAN’S AWARD Liam Graham McCann Spinks Liam has impressed academically while competing for England’s Partially Sighted Futsal team, championing inclusion for visually impaired learners and delivering impactful training across placements and his cohort. His leadership, resilience and advocacy have shaped future support for students with disabilities.
DEAN’S HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD Samuel Sagar Sam’s dedication to delivering all aspects of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship programme, despite the difficulties he has faced with a learning disability, has led to strong results both academically and in his operational role as a serving police officer. He consistently demonstrates professionalism and takes the initiative.
DEBORAH BAKER AWARD 2025 Taiwo Daniella Owoyomi
ORTHOTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD Lydia Odai
Nursing graduate Daniella conducted qualitative research inspired by caring for her grandmother with dementia, exploring challenges faced by families in Nigeria with limited support. Daniella has been awarded the Deborah Baker Ward prize for best dissertation in MSc Public Health.
In addition to her outstanding results, and despite challenging personal circumstances, Lydia went beyond what is expected by voluntarily representing the University, including helping at open days, at public engagement events, and in clinics on placement in Tanzania.
PROFESSOR MARGARET ROWE AWARD Opeyemi Victoria Ojekunle Despite beginning her studies while living with a disability, Opeyemi has demonstrated remarkable resilience, graduating with Distinction. As an RCN Student Representative, she has championed inclusion and became an inspiring role model for disabled students and those from Black and ethnically minoritised backgrounds.
MANCHESTER STATISICAL SOCIETY Grace Smallshaw-Duffy Grace’s outstanding dissertation offers an original and timely exploration of how working mothers experience the menopause in the UK workplace. Drawing on in-depth research, her study highlights the complexity of women’s identities, the importance of workplace and social support, and challenges ageist assumptions surrounding motherhood and menopause.
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