Lara Vincent-Young

Business School student named finalist for Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year 2021

A Business School student is in the running to be named Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year 2021 after being shortlisted for the award.

Lara Vincent-Young, 21, who is in her final year studying Business and Management with Industrial Experience, is a passionate advocate for improving student diversity and has worked as a student ambassador for the Business School since she was a first-year undergraduate.

During her time as a student she has assisted the Business School’s Recruitment and Widening Participation Team at Open Days, taking part in promotional activities and giving presentations to prospective students and parents.

She has also served on the student-staff liaison committee, helping to improve understanding between students and staff and is now an employability ambassador in the Business School Career Zone.

The Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year 2021 is part of the TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards and is sponsored by the charity Police Now.

The award seeks to recognise exceptional Black Heritage undergraduates who can demonstrate they are passionate about helping others, are champions of diversity and inclusion and have a “knack for solving problems”.  

“Having an award like this shows that people are realising the potential that people with Black Heritage do have.

“Something I found quite refreshing about it was that although they do want me to champion diversity, it’s more focused on ability, not just colour”

“It was more about who I was as a person, what I’ve been able to achieve and I think that’s something that is perhaps not spoken about enough and can fly under the radar.

It’s really refreshing not to be siloed as a Person of Colour and to have the opportunity to celebrate the things I’ve been able to do over my undergraduate career.”

The winner of the award, which will be announced on 30 April, will receive a unique experience with award sponsors Police Now, a charity that aims to transform communities by inspiring, recruiting and developing leaders in policing.

Professor David Boughey, Associate Dean (Education) of the Business School said: “Lara is a great credit to the Business School and would be a most worthy recipient of this award given her initiative and drive in supporting our activities and fellow students.

“Presenting with Lara at Open Days and other events is always great fun. She exudes confidence, taking audiences on her journey, and thereby enthusing others with a passion for higher education and achievement.”

Date: 29 April 2021