Local Pearson Teaching Award Winner in-line for UK Gold National Teaching Award

An ambitious Coleg y Cymoedd alumni who started as a foundation learning student is now completing a Master’s degree in Psychology and planning to complete a PHD.

24 year old Jolene Hughes from Pontypridd began her journey at Coleg y Cymoedd on a foundation level catering course and progressed onto a Level 2 Beauty Therapy course. Jolene caught the bug for education and completed an Access to Humanities course at the college to progress her to university.

Although originally wanting to study Law at university, the Access to higher education in Humanities course ignited a passion for Psychology which encouraged Jolene to undertake a BSc Hons in Psychology at the University of South Wales.

Jolene, who was very nervous about education when joining Coleg y Cymoedd at the age of 16, now strives to complete a PHD in this area then undertake the additional training following this to become a qualified Health Psychologist.

Jolene said: “My tutor Gail was particularly supportive. Working with her and in a college environment gave me the confidence I needed to progress. I never thought I would be doing a Masters never alone planning to do a PHD and become a Health Psychologist!”

Tutor Gail Pritchard said: “I am so proud of Jolene, her hard work and commitment to her studies, combined with the support she has received has taken her all the way from a foundation level course to postgraduate education. I wish Jolene every success in the future and hope other learners can use her inspiring story as the catalyst to pursue and achieve their own goals though education.”

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