Honorary graduates

2016

Ms Crista Cullen - elite international sportswoman, Olympic gold medallist and NTU alumna

Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University in recognition of her of her significant contribution to sport.

Crista Cullen

At the age of nine, Crista began her hockey career at Banda School, Kenya, where she spent most of her early life growing up. Although born in Lincolnshire, Crista moved back to Rutland, Leicestershire, to play County, Regional and England Hockey, before being honoured with her first Great Britain cap when she was 18, in 2003. She went on to study Business Studies at Nottingham Trent University achieving a 2:1 Honours degree. While playing for Leicester Hockey Club Crista earned the honour of being Hockey Writers’ Club Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007, alongside successfully winning the English Premier League title four times, and a European silver medal in 2011. 

With 194 international caps to her name, Crista Cullen is widely recognised as one of the best hockey defenders in the world, and was part of the unforgettable gold medal-winning Women’s Hockey team at Rio 2016. Crista has combined her hockey achievements with a successful career in marketing and coaching. She espouses NTU’s values ofexcellence, hard work, and supporting and motivating others.