So much!  

Firstly, as a people person, I enjoy connecting with such a range of people, often with very different backgrounds and interests to my own. It’s enriching to see those relationships develop, some now over many years, and a privilege to gain a unique insight into why philanthropy is important to them.  

Secondly, as someone self-motivated, I like that I am in control of my diary and that no two days are ever the same. One day I can be in London for meetings, and the next, back on campus to discuss a new research project with academic colleagues.  

Finally, I like learning about all of the fascinating work happening at the University, from innovative treatments for rare cancers to restoring special collections; working in this role has made every day a learning day. 

My proudest moments are when I share with our kind donors the incredible impact their support has had on our staff, students, and research. 

There is nothing more rewarding than sharing those stories, seeing donors proud of their giving and being inspired to share their experiences with others.  

Attending University myself was indeed a life-changing experience. Alongside my studies, I worked part-time as a Student Ambassador and was lucky enough to travel the UK, attending UCAS events and taking part in telethons, which I hugely enjoyed and gave me a flavour of how impactful the sector is.

After graduating, my first role was Commercial Manager for a leading travel agent, which I enjoyed, but I always felt pulled towards the companies foundation work rather than the corporate world. Then, one day I spotted the Advancement Officer vacancy. It seemed to tick off all of the elements that make me feel inspired: charity work, connecting with others, and sharing the good work of Higher Education.

 Most importantly, working for Newcastle University, in particular, seemed like the perfect fit; I knew first hand just how much the campus is integral to our City, and investing in our local communities, and how lucky I would be to be a representation of those beliefs. Of course, I applied, and here I am today!

As a born and bred Geordie, you could probably say I’m biased, but I’d have to say having our campus in such a friendly, unique and energetic city. Everyone who works and studies here really embodies those positive qualities. Our academics drive forward their (often world-changing!) projects and research with so much passion that it’s impossible not to feel inspired.  

Working closely with my colleagues to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals at the University. Seeing the impact of donations on our students. Learning a lot about all sorts of different things that we do here – from archives to rare diseases.

Being a part of student's journey through my work overseeing philanthropically donated and endowed scholarships – from when they first apply through to celebrating their success when they graduate. Also seeing how much pride donors take in helping students achieve and make the most of their time at the University. 

I did my undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews and my postgraduate degree at the University of Liverpool, both in subjects related to Art History, Cultural Institutions and Philosophy. I then worked for several years in contemporary art organisations – with one memorable summer at the British Pavilion during the Venice Biennale – before moving into fundraising in higher education.

The campus, which is beautiful in all seasons and really feels part of the city.  My colleagues who are always willing to help me work through a problem, offer support and feedback, and celebrate when we do well. Similarly for colleagues in the wider University community - it always feels like we’re working to the same goal. 

Ever since my student days at Newcastle, working on The Courier, I’ve loved sharing stories and communicating with people. Getting to do that every day in so many ways – through press releases, Instagram reels and tweets, to name just a few! – is lots of fun. And as a member of the alumni community myself, being one of the first to hear about the amazing things my fellow graduates are achieving around the world, and then getting to shout this from the rooftops, is an honour.

I have benefited directly from the work of the NU Advancement team. I took part in the PARTNERS summer school when I was in sixth form, where I first fell in love with Newcastle University and met some of my best friends today. To now be able to support the work that makes PARTNERS, and so many other student support structures, possible, is so rewarding.

Since graduating from my undergraduate degree in English Literature in 2016, I’ve been desperate to find my way back to Newcastle University somehow! I wanted to be back in the centre of the amazing community that the University fosters, and to have an opportunity to give back to the institution that has shaped so much of my life since I was a 17-year-old college student.

It just feels like home. I’m proud to be an honorary Geordie, living here since I started university when I was 18, and so proud to be a Newcastle graduate. I love being back on campus every day, seeing students walking to lectures while I eat my lunch under the Arches. It makes me miss being a student so much!

I love the variety in my role. I can be involved ina  meeting with a supporter to discuss entrepreneurship in the morning, have a coffee at a lunchtime concert on campus with a potential donor, and be part of the Faculty Advisory Board meeting in the afternoon.

I am proud that we are just over a year away from opening the Sir Terry Farrell Urban Room and Archive, and that I have played a part in raising the funding required to make the Centre possible.

I am also delighted that a number of students from diverse backgrounds have been able to take up their place at Newcastle as a direct result of fundraising programmes that I have led.

'Prestigious not pretentious' is what makes Newcastle University special. Colleagues are incredibly friendly and there is a strong sense that we are pulling in the same direction to improve the experience for all our students and to make further research possible. It makes for a working environment that supports us all to do our best work.

It may feel like a cliché, but alumni interaction is always the highlight of my job. Being able to talk to graduates who clearly had an amazing time at Newcastle, speak so fondly of it and who are keen to remain engaged and willing to help out is a wonderful thing to be able to and the thing I look forward to.

Currently the thing I’m most proud of is the Newcastle Develop series. Aimed to be a programme of support for early-to-mid-career graduates the series feels like it’s grown from strength to strength this year. The feedback has been very positive, and it feels as if it really is benefitting alumni who attend, as well alumni who participate as panellists.

Newcastle seems to occupy a special place both in the city and region as well as in the hearts and minds of its graduates (as cheesy as that sounds). I wanted to take a chance at working at an institution that generated that level of feeling in its communities.

Resorting to another cliché – the students. Newcastle’s student body brings a vibrancy to the campus and city that I’ve not seen elsewhere. From their passion for their city to their drive to make this place better for themselves and the region, it really makes it a place like no other.