Emily Macaulay named 'Alumna of the Year 2015'
20 October 2015
An alumna who was awarded an MBE for services to equality and diversity has been named as Nottingham Trent University's Alumna of the Year for 2015.
Emily Macaulay (BA Hons Criminology 2003) was recognised in last year's Queen's Birthday Honours for her previous work as chair of the Devon and Cornwall Gay Police Association (GPA).
This involved leading ground-breaking activities to improve equal opportunities within the service as well as instigating the Visible and Everywhere campaign to tackle isolation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues.
The University's Alumnus of the Year award recognises former students' distinctive attainments, professional successes, and contributions to society.
Emily, who was chair of the Devon and Cornwall GPA for six years, will receive her award during a University graduation ceremony on November 28. She held several roles within criminal justice until 2013. These included engagement and volunteers officer for the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall; community engagement lead for the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority; and community justice business analyst for the Devon and Cornwall Criminal Justice Board.
Emily was involved with the LGBT Society during her time at Nottingham Trent University. She will continue to work closely with the University to engage with students in relation to LGBT issues and to support course curriculum development within the School of Social Sciences' Succeed with Social Sciences programme.
Emily, who is currently senior supervisor for operations at Exeter Library, said: "I am thrilled and shocked to hear I am the 2015 Alumna of the Year. There are so many successful people that have graduated from Nottingham Trent University that are making a difference in our world and I feel humbled to be considered worthy of such an award.
"Looking at previous winners I am in awe of some of the company I now stand in. My time at University was hugely important to me and very formative. Beyond the academic, being involved in societies and feeling like part of a huge community was an experience that I will forever hold close to my heart and look back on fondly.
"I am very much looking forward to being back in Nottingham to receive my award, 12 years after I last stood on that stage clutching my undergraduate certificate."
Nottingham Trent University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edward Peck, said: "We are delighted that Emily has accepted our invitation to be our alumna of the year. It is particularly appropriate that she receives this award in the year in which NTU is placing enhanced emphasis on the importance of mutual respect between all members of our global community of students and staff."
Nominations for the award are invited from students, staff, and graduates as well as employers, employees, colleagues, families and friends of alumni.
Last year's Alumna of the Year was solicitor and "leading force for social justice", Amerdeep Somal, who was given the award in recognition of her dedication to helping vulnerable people.