Andrea Kusec has won a Social Impact Award from the University of Cambridge's Vice-Chancellor.
A Gates Cambridge Scholar has won an award from University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope for her efforts towards positive social change.
Andrea Kusec, President of the Gates Cambridge Scholars Council, won one of the Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Awards.
The awards recognise the achievement of outstanding students at the University of Cambridge, who demonstrate exceptional commitment to improving society and the wider world.
Andrea, who is doing a PhD in Medical Science, was recognised for her voluntary work at Addenbrooke’s helping people with brain injuries, for organising fundraising events for the Epilepsy Society UK and a silent auction and for being a consultant for a horticultural programme with Headway Cambridge.
Andrea said: “It is really humbling to be offered the Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Award and to be recognised alongside other inspiring students.
“I was surprised to be nominated and often feel that I get the most benefit out of my volunteering. I have epilepsy myself so the Purple Day fundraiser that I organised – where I was completely decked out in purple – was pretty personal to me.”
The awards are run in collaboration with Cambridge Hub, a student-led group that offers practical volunteering, skilled placements, project incubation and events.
Rather than an in-person ceremony, Andrea met with Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Toope virtually, alongside other award winners.
