The Hour of Awesome Case Studies
John McWilliams, Director of Civic and Alumni Engagement, University of Bristol
Alyssa Martin, Senior Alumni Networks Manager, University of Westminster
Westminster Working Cultures: building global employability, community and belonging through experiential learning
Established in 2017, Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) is a flagship University of Westminster programme linking alumni engagement, career readiness and short-term mobility. Each year, WWC connects students with alumni and industry partners in the UK and across seven international locations. Approaching its tenth year, the programme has supported more than 1,500 students through immersive experiences that build confidence, networks, career insight and belonging contributing to student success and strong graduate outcomes. This session will explore how the programme, recognised with a CASE Gold Award in 2023, has evolved to meet changing student expectations and institutional priorities while sustaining long-term impact.
Lindsey Wilson, Deputy Director (Communications), and Dr Paula Gould, Associate Director of Campaign Management, University of Sheffield
Forging ahead - Sheffield’s philanthropic success story
Is there ever a good time to launch your first ever multi-million philanthropic campaign? How can you possibly ask for money amidst stock market turbulence and a cost of living crisis? How do you even start a conversation about ‘giving back’ on campus when industrial action is around the corner and workload reduction is top of the agenda? We’ll show how Communication, Collaboration and Confidence have been instrumental to the success of Forged in Sheffield. We’ll take you through planning and executing the public launch, creating award-winning comms and building genuine staff engagement. There’ll also be a hint of what’s to come as we finalise our campaign close plans.
Professor Rene Koglbauer, Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice, Newcastle University
Tess McCormick, Development Director, Mansfield College, University of Oxford
The For Mansfield. Forever. campaign, Mansfield College, University of Oxford
Our fund- and profile-raising campaign is breaking with tradition to project what is distinctive and trailblazing about Mansfield College – how we lead within Oxford and the sector in widening access to elite education. We are projecting a vision for the College’s future, incorporating a major capital project, using student and alumni voices – who themselves are confounding expectations and challenging the status quo. Also innovating in how we created the campaign, we jettisoned the idea of a one-size-fits-all ‘case for support’, in favour of a powerful ‘brand within a brand’ – using bold visual statements, messaging, and imagery.
Steve O'Neil, Head of Public Affairs, University College London
Olivia McLaughlin, Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary, University of Chichester and Becky Edwards, Co-founder Adversity to University (A2U) and Senior Lecturer, Adversity to University (A2U) and University of Chichester
Corey Smith, Community Gateway Project Manager, and Ali Abdi, Community Gateway Partnerships Manager, Cardiff University
Jim Collins, Director of Strategy and Operations, King's College London
Empower ESOL: Supporting Latin American parents in South London
Despite an estimated 12,000 young Latin Americans aged 15-24 living in London, only 41 home Latinx students enrolled at King's College London in 2022-23. Research highlights that limited English proficiency is a major barrier preventing many Latin American parents from supporting their children’s education and accessing essential services such as healthcare, housing and legal advice. In response, King’s launched EmpowerESOL, a tailored English language programme for Latin American parents focused on practical communication skills for everyday life. Delivered in partnership with English for Action, Empoderando Familias and Citizens UK, the programme combines classroom learning with student volunteer support, giving learners opportunities to practise conversation in a safe and welcoming environment.
Chris Cox, Vice-Principal (Philanthropy and Advancement), The University of Edinburgh and Alumni, and Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
Thank you to everyone who submitted case studies to be considered for the Hour of Awesome.
