Criminal Justice and Criminology student wins regional award

First year student Emma McNamara will receive the NIACE Learning in Families and Communities Individual Award.

Emma is a former PHE student and a learning champion and has won this award in recognition of her outstanding achievements. She will receive her award at the Yorkshire and Humber Adult Learners’ Awards ceremony. Emma was a participant in Realise, the aspiration raising programme run by the Lifelong Learning Centre, and both received guidance from our impartial IAG service.

Despite great personal setbacks Emma returned to education aged 32 to re-sit her Maths GCSE. Just three years on, Emma’s determination and passion for education have helped her to transform her life through learning and she is now working towards gaining a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. In the future she hopes to work within the probation service, helping others who have faced similar barriers, but even while she’s still studying Emma is supporting other learners through her work as a learning champion. Her learning achievements are outstanding and she is an inspirational role model for other adult learners.

The recognition of Emma’s success demonstrates the importance of our engagement with local communities to widen participation in Higher Education. We believe that access to adult education in local areas is vital if people are going to continue to have opportunities to aim high and achieve their dreams.