Celebrating our Alumni
At University Centre Quayside (UCQ) we take immense pride in the achievements of our graduates. Their stories reflect resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of lifelong learning. From career progression to personal empowerment, our alumni demonstrate that education is not just about gaining knowledge – it’s about unlocking potential and shaping futures. Explore these inspiring journeys to see how UCQ has supported individuals in achieving their goals and making a lasting impact in their professions and communities.
Kellie Pennicard, Director at YBC Cleaning Services Ltd
Embarking on the journey of higher education, as a woman in my 50s, has been a transformative experience that significantly reshaped my life. After years of priorising family and career, returning to university reignited my passion for learning and fostered a profound sense of empowerment.
The classroom became a space where my voice could be heard, where my experiences added depth to discussions, and where I could inspire younger generations by demonstrating that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. This endeavour challenged societal norms that often limit women to traditional roles and instead affirmed my belief that growth and exploration are lifelong pursuits.
Moreover, the friendships I forged with fellow students created a vibrant community of support and encouragement, highlighting the strength of coming together to uplift one another. Each lecture and assignment became a stepping stone to greater self-confidence and resilience.
As I celebrated my academic milestones, I also found myself re-evaluating other aspects of my life and embracing new opportunities, both personally and professionally. This journey has not only broadened my horizons but has also deepened my commitment to championing women’s education and empowerment, reminding myself and others that age should never be a barrier to ambition.
Franki Pepperrell, CMDA Graduate and Lead Merchandiser at Oliver Bonas
Every day I am thankful for my female friends, family and work colleagues who are strong, successful, and intelligent women and inspire me to be better and make change. Next month I celebrate 7 years working at Oliver Bonas and I am so proud to work for an organisation that champions women and encourages us to be our authentic selves.
Throughout my time at UCQ, I found them to be aligned with the same culture at Oliver Bonas, and very early on in my studies I knew that UCQ would be a learning environment where I would be supported, encouraged, and inspired to succeed. Working and studying at the same time was incredibly challenging, but doing it in these environments with shared beliefs, support system and culture meant that I could deliver my best work for both my day job and my degree during the three years.
My parents have played a pivotal role in who I am today and hugely championed me when I broached the idea of going back to education in my 30’s. As their first born and first daughter, my parents encouraged me to believe in myself and not to dim my light no matter the crowd. To stand up and have a voice for those who can’t, to have conviction, and that hard work could achieve anything. They encouraged me to not conform to norms or tradition if it felt like it wasn’t the right thing regardless of my gender or societal expectations, and to ultimately do what would make me happiest. With a little influence from the Girl Power era in the 90’s, they certainly succeeded in helping me achieve this.
Studying at UCQ, achieving a first-class degree, and being awarded valedictorian is something that I will never forget. The entire experience from start to finish tested my patience, resilience, opened mindedness and ability to multitask. I have come out of this process not only with improved leadership skills, but I am a better version of myself. It truly has been life changing for me. Hearing other students’ stories and insights into their lives has been so enriching and I have the utmost admiration for all students I encountered in my 3 years at UCQ.