Meet the Team
The Schools and Colleges Liaison Service:
- Offers impartial information, advice and guidance about how to research Higher Education (HE) courses and institutions.
- Gives specialist advice on topics such as student finance and making an effective application through UCAS.
- Works closely with our school and college partners across the region to widen participation to HE.
- Provides a number of progression activities for adult learners as well as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities for school/college staff and careers advisers.
- Acts as a liaison point between school/college staff wishing to form links with University staff in specific subject areas.
All members of the Schools and Colleges Liaison Team at Huddersfield, including Student Ambassadors, have passed the relevant safeguarding checks (DBS) and have undertaken child safeguarding training.
Contact us on 01484 472282 or schools.liaison@hud.ac.uk
The team
Amanda Kenningley
Deputy Head of Schools and Colleges Liaison Service
Kate Filimon
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (North West)
Gemma Stead
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Yorkshire)
Bex Bourke
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (South Yorkshire)
Marica Shelbourne
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Yorkshire)
Hannah Alipoor
Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (North East and Humber)
Julie Pink
| Job Title | Head of Schools and Colleges Liaison Service |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Julie Pink
After graduating from the University of Leeds with a BA in Management Studies and Philosophy, I joined Sainsbury’s on their Graduate Management Training Programme. After a few years at Sainsbury’s working in and around North London, I moved back to West Yorkshire in 1992 to join the University of Huddersfield. From 1994 onwards I have headed up the Schools and Colleges Liaison Service seeing it grow from a team of one and a half to a team of nineteen over the years.
Whilst at the University, I have gained an MA in Education Marketing from the University of Central England and have gained fellowship of the Chartered Management Institute. I am a member of the West Yorkshire National Collaborative Outreach Programme’s steering group, Go Higher West Yorkshire and I am on the Chair of the Board of Directors for C& K Careers. I have two children and I love travelling, reading, and going to the gym (in that order!)
Sophie Craven
| Job Title | Schools & Colleges Liason Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Sophie Craven
I coordinate the University’s schemes that attract UCAS points: primarily the Progression Module and Headstart Huddersfield. My role involves working with key individuals in schools and colleges to publicise and recruit students onto the schemes. I work with partner institutions, including Leeds Beckett University, to develop existing and new teaching and assessment resources for the Progression Module. In addition I am responsible for developing and coordinating training for teachers and providing ongoing support for the schemes. I also work with schools and colleges to organise and deliver a range of campus visits, presentations and workshops.
I have worked in Schools Liaison, Student Recruitment and Widening Participation roles for over 15 years and prior to that I worked for an Education Business Partnership on enterprise and mentoring projects. I am a qualified teacher of History with an MA in History and PGCert Technology Enhanced Learning. I am also a published education author and contributor to a number of UK school subscription publications. In my spare time I enjoy reading and walking the Calder Valley where I live with my husband and two children.
Keeley Hutton
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Administrator |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Keeley Hutton
As a Schools and Colleges Liaison Administrator, I am responsible for administering and co-ordinating subject specific requests that we receive from both the general public and schools and colleges. This includes bookings for the Discover Programme (off campus), Taster Days (on campus), Science A Level practicals (on/off campus) and any other ad hoc subject request. I work closely with teachers/ advisers on what activity suits their requirements and help to find a suitable date/ time for both them and the relevant academic.
I manage the student ambassador and senior student ambassador schemes. This includes the recruitment, selection and training of our chosen representatives. The schemes are designed to employ current University of Huddersfield students to support our team in a variety of activities and events.
I occasionally visit schools and colleges or attend UCAS conventions to help the team promote our institution and HE.
My idea of relaxation is running even though this may be considered torture by some of my colleagues. I am Huddersfield born and Yorkshire through and through.
Ruth Cohen
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Ruth Cohen
The main function of my role is to provide awareness of Higher Education for pupils, parents and teachers & advisors within the local and regional schools and college network. Within my role I am dedicated to ensuring that young people continue to be inspired about the possibility of Higher Education and the opportunities that education can unlock.
I am also responsible for the management of our looked after young person program working in conjunction with our student’s services team.
I have worked within the HE sector for over 10 years, joining the team at Huddersfield 6 months ago as an assistant and now moving onto an Officers role. I love the variety of our job roles and enjoy meeting new people and helping them to make an informed decision about their future.
My life outside of work is taken up with my young family and all that entails!
Amanda Kenningley
| Job Title | Deputy Head of Schools and Colleges Liaison Service |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Amanda Kenningley
I have worked in the Schools & Colleges Liaison team since 2006 and I’ve been Deputy Head of the Service since 2017. My job is varied and I enjoy working with young people, especially when you can see how the work done may change their perceptions of Higher Education! Having left college at 18 and entering the world of work, I decided a few years down the line to go to university and was so glad I did. Encouraging young people to enter into Higher Education through the work I do gives me a great sense of achievement. In addition to the work I do with schools and colleges, I am the Chair for HELOA North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, which allows me to keep up to date with current issues in the Higher Education sector and to liaise and collaborate with staff from various universities across the UK. I am also a trustee on the Board of the Valley Learning Partnership, a Strategic Learning Partnership which formalises collaboration between groups of schools in Calderdale and neighbouring areas. I am currently studying the CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership. Prior to working at the university I worked in marketing roles at De Montfort University, Bradford College, Impact Theatre Training and Wakefield Council, so I have an insight into a variety of institutions. Outside work I like walking challenges, having undertaken the Yorkshire 3 Peaks a couple of times, the Ullswater Way and this years’ challenge is the Northumberland Coast Mighty Hike. I have two boys who keep me very busy, particularly with their various sporting activities, in my spare time.
Jo Ricketts
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Assistant |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Joanne Ricketts
Having worked at the University for 25 years, I have seen huge changes to both the campus and the culture of the organisation and its staff. A huge part of my role involves the coordination of the University’s Open Days, a key part of the pre-applicant student journey, along with the Applicant Visit Days which run from December to April.
Additionally, I administer the finances for the department and organise the logistics for the UCAS fair “circuit” and represent the University at HE and careers fairs as well as conducting mock interviews in local schools. In my “spare” time I am kept busy by my two boys, but they keep me young!
Kate Filimon
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Kate Filimon
After studying English Literature at the University of Sheffield and then working in Market Research in Leeds, I began working in Higher Education in the South West in 2014 – and now I’m delighted to have returned to the north to continue my career in this area. I am passionate about promoting fair access to university and ensuring that all young people have access to equal educational opportunities.
My role involves delivering aspiration-raising talks and workshops and attending careers fairs to provide information and guidance to students and their families about the variety of Higher Education options available to them. I’ve recently taken over responsibility for building relationships with schools and colleges in the North West in particular; I’m based in the region and spend the majority of my time paying visits to institutions throughout the area, from Cheshire to Cumbria!
When I’m not at work, I’m particularly interested in live music, theatre and literature and you can often find me at festivals of all shapes, sizes and genres.
Gemma Stead
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Yorkshire) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Gemma Stead
I have been working in Higher Education for over 9 years both in the UK and overseas for a number of different types institutions. My roles have included working in areas such as admissions, marketing and recruitment, outreach and widening participation; leading on projects aimed at increasing engagement with prospective students and teachers across the UK. I enjoy working collaboratively across the sector and am an active member of the Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA), previously serving on the North East Committee as Web Engagement and Marketing Officer.
I recently gained the CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing and also hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Psychotherapy. I have a degree in History and International Relations and I am very passionate about the wealth of opportunities Higher Education can bring. My role primarily involves delivering aspiration raising talks, workshops and campus visits to young people and I enjoy working in a variety of different settings and meeting new people every day. I also specifically work to build links between the University and schools and colleges in the West Yorkshire region.
Outside of work, my main interests lie in anything that involve being in the great outdoors, such as running, walking and cycling. I also love to travel - I backpacked around South America for 6 months and lived in Vancouver, Canada for a year.
Bex Bourke
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (South Yorkshire) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Bex Bourke
I graduated with a BA in Media and a Post-16 PGCE from Sheffield Hallam University. I love my role at the University of Huddersfield as it allows me to help students gain the skills and knowledge needed to help them progress onto Higher Education. I feel particularly passionate about helping those from disadvantages backgrounds progress to University to realise their full potential. Previous to my role at the University I worked within the Schools Liaison team within a FE college.
Outside of work I enjoy long distance running and indoor climbing. I also relish the opportunity to travel to new places!
Hannah Alipoor
| Job Title | Schools & Colleges Liaison Officer (North East & the Humber) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Hannah Alipoor
I moved to Huddersfield from Bradford in 2013 when I came to study BA English Language and Linguistics, then continuing on to MA Intercultural Communication. Throughout my four years as a student I worked as a Senior Student Ambassador, a job that I really enjoyed and inspired me to continue working in HE, specifically Schools and Colleges Liaison.
Working as a Schools and Colleges Officer my job involves promoting the University and/or HE in schools and colleges across the UK, with a particular focus on the North East and the Humber. This involves going into schools to deliver presentations and workshops, hosting and delivering activities on campus, as well as building and maintaining relationships with staff members within schools and colleges.
In my spare time I love going to new places, whether that be in the UK or abroad. Outside of work you will find me scrolling various search engines for the latest cheap flight!
Laura Bareham
| Job Title | Outreach Officer (Uni Connect) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Laura Bareham
I moved to Huddersfield from Essex in 2011 to study a BA in History here at the University of Huddersfield. Throughout my three years as a student I also worked as a Senior Student Ambassador, a job which I absolutely loved and which ultimately inspired me to continue working in the HE sector, and the area of School and College Liaison in particular.
In my role as Outreach Officer for Go Higher West Yorkshire, I act as the university’s main representative for the UniConnect programme and promote the university to students from Years 9 to 13 across West Yorkshire. A large part of my role is engaging with parents and the community, and I spend a fair amount of my time working alongside our 11 partner institutions to organise and run HE-based events in community locations across the region. It’s a joy to be part of the fantastic team here at the University, and to be able to represent an institution that I gained so much from as a student.
In my spare time I love travelling and head off for solo adventures whenever I can fit them in! I also love reading, photography and spending time with my family.
Marica Shelbourne
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer (West Yorkshire) |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Marica Shelbourne
I moved from Nottingham to Huddersfield in 2008 with my family and studied Youth and Community Work at the University of Huddersfield from 2012-2015. Throughout my studies I gained experience in a wide range of placements including The Base (a drug and alcohol service) and various youth clubs. One of the key roles in my placement at The Base was providing weekly drop in sessions/information stands at local Colleges and delivering classroom workshops to students in FE. I absolutely loved working with students in a range of different settings and this is what encouraged me to work in a role of a similar nature after I finished my studies.
I am new to the Schools and Colleges Liaison team covering maternity, however I am familiar with the nature of the job as my previous role was a Schools Liaison Officer at an FE College. I am looking forward to getting know more about the world of HE and getting out and about in Schools and Colleges throughout the region.
Naomi Pearson
| Job Title | Schools and Colleges Liaison Administrator |
|---|---|
| School / Service | Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment |
| Phone Number | |
About Naomi Pearson
Having worked with the Schools & Colleges Liaison team in my placement year while studying my Events Management degree, it was brilliant to become a member of such a great team again. As I am now one of the Administrators, my role includes allocating events, writing the monthly Teacher’s Newsletter, as well as organising the Parents Information Evenings, Clearing Helpline and Admissions Day. Although I am mainly office based, I still help out on events off campus such as Careers Fairs and Mock Interviews during the busy periods.
In my spare time I enjoy watching a good comedy movie as well as going to concerts and the theatre. I have recently started learning how to play the ukulele which is proving harder to do than I first anticipated!