Celebrating Fareedah Oyekan on her award winning mentorship

Fareedah was recently congratulated by Professor Paola Lettieri, UCL Vice-Provost, and her Programme Lead Dr Irina Lazar for winning the Unsung Hero Award at UCL’s Transition Mentor of the Year Awards. Transition Mentors provide crucial peer support to first-year undergraduate students through group mentoring meetings and peer-assisted learning sessions. They act as key contacts, guiding new students to essential services and fostering a sense of belonging within the university.

Fareedah’s commitment to mentoring stems from her own experience as part of the first cohort of her course BSc Science and Engineering for Social Change. With no predecessors to turn to, she understood the challenges new students faced and wanted to be a source of support and guidance for the next cohort.

Hear from Fareedah as she shares why she chose this course and what winning this award means to her!

“I chose this interdisciplinary course to embrace my diverse interests and challenge conventional boundaries of study. This decision has allowed me to acquire valuable skills and seize unique opportunities, including working with Waltham Forest Council on a co-design project to enhance the services in their prestigious library. By collaborating with local residents and applying theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts, I have gained practical insights that fuel my passion for impactful change.

As a mentor, I strive to embody the values of leadership, empathy, and dedication. Being part of the first cohort of my course meant navigating uncharted territory without the guidance of predecessors.This experience motivated me to become a mentor for the following cohort, acting as a guide and support system for my mentees.

Drawing from my previous leadership roles, such as serving as Head Girl, a Summer School Activities Assistant, and captain of my high school volleyball team, I have refined my interpersonal and mentoring skills. I see mentoring as an opportunity to give back, creating a positive and inclusive environment for others.

My dedication and impact were recognised when I won the Unsung Hero Mentor Award, an unexpected but deeply meaningful moment. For me, this award symbolised that my efforts to support and guide others were seen and valued. I credit my mentees for their collaborative spirit, emphasising that the recognition was a shared achievement.

Looking ahead, I aim to explore diverse fields such as energy and environmental consultancy, public policy, sustainability, and co-design. I am committed to applying my skills in meaningful ways, embracing new challenges, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.”

A Bright Future Ahead

We at STEaPP are incredibly proud of Fareedah and all that she has achieved. Her passion, leadership, and dedication to creating positive change set her apart as an inspiring role model.

Please join us in congratulating Fareedah once again on this well-deserved recognition, we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next!

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