National recognition for Plymouth University student mentor
A Plymouth University careers and employability advisor has won a national award for her outstanding support in mentoring a university-based entrepreneurial action group.
Kellie Smith received the ‘outstanding team advisor of the year’ award at the Enactus National Competition held in London last month beating off competition from 51 universities across the UK. A total of 41 universities were represented at the awards, with more than 1,000 students attending.
Enactus, formerly known as Students in Free Enterprise (SiFE), is an international non-profit organisation that brings together students, academics and business leaders who are committed to using entrepreneurial action to improve the quality and standard of life for people in need.
Kellie has been working with Enactus:Plymouth for two years alongside her full-time role as a careers and employability advisor within the University and its Business School. She was nominated for the award by the Enactus team.
Hollie Stanton, an events management student and forthcoming president of Enactus:Plymouth, said: “We’re delighted that Kellie’s efforts have been recognised and we’re incredibly proud of her. She has been a pillar of strength, inspiration and knowledge over the course of this year. Through times of jubilation and hardship she has been there with a smile, words of wisdom and most of all, enthusiasm to drive us forward as a team. She has encouraged us to constantly aim higher and push our limits.”
Enactus:Plymouth has been running for three years and has established business mentors from 10 major companies. The team has already carried out several projects including IT training sessions for residents in the Devonport community and helping to create an online directory to improve communications within the area. They’ve also set up a project to re-integrate ex-offenders back into society and are beginning to work on their first international project looking at manufacturing shoes using waste tyres.
Kellie said: “I was completely shocked and surprised to win, but also extremely motivated to encourage more people to get involved with Enactus as it’s so fulfilling. Working with the Enactus:Plymouth team is very rewarding; the students are inspiring and dedicate a huge amount of time despite their study commitments. It’s also extremely beneficial to them on a personal level as they learn transferable skills in leadership, teamwork and communication from real life experiences, and become value-driven and socially responsible individuals.”
Enactus:Plymouth is hoping to now raise its profile and get more people involved, to contribute to life-changing projects locally and internationally.
The University’s Dean of Students, Dr Maureen Powers, was at the event to watch Kellie receive her award. She said: “I’m delighted Kellie has received the recognition she deserves for her superb work in assisting Enactus:Plymouth. She has gone above and beyond to assist the students and promote Enactus to University and business representatives, demonstrating her true commitment and passion for enterprise and our local community.
“The enthusiasm of her and the Enactus team is infectious; they are all committed to making an impact on people’s lives through empowering them to strive to their potential and through their volunteer work create greater opportunities within our community.”
