Alumni Achievements Celebrated at Inaugural Awards Event

The achievements of the University of Suffolk’s alumni community have been celebrated at an inaugural awards event.

Suffolk Salutes, which marks the achievements of former students, has presented its first awards to six alumni at a celebration night held in the university’s arts building.

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, presented the plaques to Ania Hobson, Alexandra Munn, Imogen Snowling, Jasmin Taylor and Jemma Yarnton-Peacock and celebrated the successes of graduates once they have finished their studies. Another recipient, Kay Saberton was unable to attend.

Prof Higham said: “We love to follow our former students and have a great sense of pride as they excel in their chosen fields.

The updates on their careers and achievements are an inspiration to current and future students.”

Kate Burgess, the University of Suffolk’s Alumni Relations and Development Manager, said celebrating alumni success was an important part of university life.

She said: “We see students thrive when they study with us here at the University of Suffolk and to continue to follow their paths after graduation is a huge honour for us.

“Students have our support long after they graduate, and we enjoy enormously being part of their ongoing journey.”

Criteria for the awards were established before nominations were submitted. The submissions then went to a final judging panel at the university.

Criteria included:

• Remarkable demonstration of compassion, kindness and heroism
• Outstanding contribution to the education, cultural or economic wellbeing of society and/or the issues facing society today such as equality, diversity and environmental stability.
• Outstanding contribution to, and impact on, the university’s reputation and the wider life of the university community, such as through innovation or social responsibility.

Meet our first Suffolk Salutes recipients here:

Ania Hobson BA (Hons) Fine Art. Class of 2011

Since graduating from the University of Suffolk, Ania has become a self-employed artist. She won the Young Artist Award at the BP Portrait Awards, granted by the National Portrait Gallery in 2018 and since then has exhibited her work across the world.

Ania has had solo shows in the UK, France, Germany, Los Angeles and New York and alongside her incredible portfolio of solo shows, Ania has featured in many group shows from The Dorchester Hotel to Mall Galleries to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery as well as the National Portrait Gallery in London.

With over 40 group shows and 10 solo shows, Ania has made a significant impact in her area.

Ania was nominated for her inspirational career, her influence on the art community and her outstanding talent by Dr Jane Watt, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at the University of Suffolk who said: “As a student, it was clear to see that Ania had a fascination with portraiture, and I still remember her degree show series of works.

“It has been wonderful to see her work develop over the years, establishing her practice as an accomplished contemporary figurative painter who is showing work internationally whilst still maintaining a studio and presence in Suffolk.

“She is a deserved winner of the Suffolk Salutes Prize and continues to be an inspiration to our students.”

Alexandra Munn BSc SEND. Class of 2018.

At the age of 18, Alexandra began working as a support worker for young disabled people in Suffolk and this inspired her to study Special Educational Needs and Disability Studies at the University of Suffolk.

During her time studying, Alexandra won Dissertation of the Year Award 2018 for her research exploring perspectives of young men with Down’s Syndrome on love.

Since graduating, Alexandra has founded the incredible charity, Project 21 which operates in Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire and  provides activities and clubs for people with Down’s Syndrome in the East of England such as flash mobs, dance classes and cultural visits.

Alexandra was nominated for her altruism and commitment to a worthy, important cause. Her hard work, determination and passion has seen the charity go from strength to strength. Alexandra is an inspiration to all.

In nominating Alexandra for the award, Kate Burgess, Alumni Relations and Development Manager at the University of Suffolk, said: “Alexandra is incredibly inspiring. Founding her charity in 2018, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that people with Down's Syndrome have a voice in a society that commonly underestimates them.”

Kay Saberton BA (Hons) English and MA Creative and Critical Writing. Class of 2019 and 2021

During her time at the University of Suffolk, Kay was regularly involved with university life as well as winning multiple awards.

She was involved with the Student’s Union, she won Student of the Year, East Anglian Daily Times Award for Professional Writing, and the Suffolk Book League Award for Best Dissertation in English.

Her love of education resulted in her returning to study a Masters and during this time, she was longlisted for the Student New Angle Prize 2021 and acted as editor-in-chief for the MA anthology ‘Suffolk Folk’.

As well as her plethora of achievements, Kay was nominated for her exceptional kindness by Dr Amanda Hodgkinson, Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange (School of Social Sciences and Humanities) at the University of Suffolk, who said: “Kay was an outstanding member of the English student body and the staff still miss her, for her hard work and talent on her course, for her bright personality, her kindness to others and her brilliant ability to inspire and motivate fellow students.”

Imogen Snowling BSc (Hons) Midwifery. Class of 2021

As a midwife, Imogen is fully aware of the challenges faced by those working in the NHS and the demands of a career in midwifery.

Through her incredible Instagram account, Imogen is on a mission to bring back the passion that many have lost in the NHS and to support her fellow midwives by providing advice and guidance.

Her substantial number of followers of her social media platforms enjoy seeing the incredible highs and difficult lows of a career in midwifery and she uses her platform to motivate, inform and inspire.

Imogen has advocated for midwives, highlighting the impact of such a career on mental health and shares learning opportunities, including with current University of Suffolk midwifery students.

Imogen was nominated for the award by Fiona Judge, Head of Midwifery at the University of Suffolk, who praised her for her dedication to the profession.

“We always received positive feedback from practice regarding Imogen. She was professional, kind, compassionate and demonstrated excellent skill development. She was a valued member of the midwifery society,” she said.

Jasmin Taylor BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. Class of 2020

Jasmin’s record-breaking career sees her as the record holder for British skier with the most World Cup and World Championship medals.

She won her first FIS World Cup medal in 2013, the first medal for a Briton in the FIS Telemark World Cup.

Furthermore, she has won medals at the 2015, 2017 and 2023 FIS Telemark World Championships, including Britain’s first ever medal at these championships.

Her exceptional career began on the dry ski slope in Ipswich before she took up telemark skiing at the age of 15 after being invited to train in Les Houches, France, by the British Ski Academy.

In 2012, she sold items at a car boot sale which enabled her to compete at that year’s British Championships. She won the event and is now five-time British Champion.

As well as skiing, Jasmin is a professional Ski Instructor and Coach.

Jasmin was nominated by Helen Langton MBE, former Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, who said: “Jasmin demonstrates what can be achieved both academically and in her chosen field of Telemark skiing and this will inspire others to believe that they can succeed and achieve.

“Jasmin has made an outstanding contribution to her chosen sport, to her hometown of Ipswich and to her university.”

Jemma Yarnton-Peacock BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology. Class of 2014

Since graduating from the University of Suffolk, Jemma has worked as a Therapeutic Radiographer at Addenbrookes and Ipswich Hospital, progressing to senior radiographer and practice educator. 

In 2021, Jemma became a Lead Practice Education Facilitator for Allied Health Professions (AHPs), focusing on increasing student placement capacity and improving the quality of learning environments. 

Most recently, Jemma has started a seconded role in the Suffolk and North East Essex (SNEE) Integrated Care System (ICS) as AHP Faculty Lead. This role aims to develop and co-ordinate collaborative working across AHP service providers and University partners in our system, including the University of Suffolk. 

Jemma is a true ambassador for the University of Suffolk and has continued her learning at the university by completing a post graduate certificate on the Joint Suffolk Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA), utilising her skills, knowledge, and experience to help others develop in a field she is truly passionate about.

With a recruitment and skills crisis currently in the NHS, Jemma is celebrated for inspiring the next generation to join the NHS and wider health and care sectors.

Jemma was nominated for her incredible career within the NHS by Zoe Grant, Senior Lecturer in Therapeutic Radiography at the University of Suffolk who praised her commitment and passion in supporting current University of Suffolk students at the start of their careers in healthcare.

“A key skill as a therapeutic radiographer is adaptability and Jemma’s career since qualifying has certainly demonstrated how adaptable she is.

“Jemma is an inspirational leader and I look forward to watching where her career takes her.”

For more information about the University of Suffolk alumni community go to Your Alumni Community | University of Suffolk (uos.ac.uk)