Meet the alumni speakers who inspired at Summer Graduation

Gail Hadfield-Grainger

Use the privilege of your education and degree to achieve something extraordinary. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; pursue your dreams, follow your passions, and leave your mark on the world.

Gail completed a bachelor’s degree in law with criminology, followed by a master’s degree in the criminal justice process.

Gail now serves as the director of her own legal consultancy firm, GHG Legal, and is a police station representative.

Azeem Amir

Don’t let your degree define you. Strive to be a well-rounded, helpful, empathetic, kind, and supportive person with a positive outlook on life, regardless of any challenges you face.

Azeem completed a bachelor’s degree in business management, followed by a master’s degree in digital business. Azeem plays blind football professionally for the England and Great Britain blind football team and is the founder and project lead at Learn with ESS, an organisation that helps to tackle the lack of disability awareness within society.

Abiola Ogunsami

Probably the most important thing that I have learned while at uni is how important it is to ask for help, I still suck at it, but I am actively working to improve on that ability.

Abiola graduated in 2023, earning a BSc in accounting and finance. He is an ambassador for Regeneration Brainery and Future of Greater Manchester, helping to educate and inspire younger generations wanting to get a start within the property industry. Since speaking at graduation, he is now graduate development manager at Muse.

Maudlyn Akosua Awuku

Shatter glass ceilings, defy doubters, and to those who walk through life with the benefit of privilege, be true leaders by challenging outdated systems of oppression and patriarchy. Amplify the voices of women and minorities.

Maudlyn graduated in 2021, completing a master’s degree in project management. She is an advocate for women and youth empowerment and after leaving Salford, founded the Anijie Global Foundation, an organisation committed to inspiring, educating and celebrating future leaders.

Melissa Ahmed

Once you have found your passion, everything clicks into place, everything seems easy and everything you have worked so hard for seems worth it.

Melissa completed a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, followed by a master’s degree by research in aeronautical and mechanical engineering. Now a passionate entrepreneur and engineer, Melissa is the co-founder and managing director of Techwuman, an engineering consultancy company specialising in design engineering for the physical security of critical national infrastructure.

Sevim Yildiz

Each opportunity has been a stepping stone toward realising my dream, that was creating stories and spreading joy for wildlife documentaries.

Selim completed a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation with zoo biology, followed by a master’s degree in wildlife documentary production. She is now a freelance natural history researcher and has helped to create inspiring documentaries, making complex wildlife concepts accessible to global audiences.

Mia Charnock

The challenges you will face are unpredictable, but rest assured you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and determination to make a difference.

Mia graduated in 2022, completing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. She now serves as a design engineer at MGF, a market leader in the design, manufacture and provision of modular and bespoke excavation support systems.

Patrick He

Be proud of your heritage, your life is valued, and every story in the past made you the true self. Whatever the life you choose, live to the fullest!

Patrick completed a bachelor’s degree in digital media, followed by a master’s degree in visual communication. He is an experienced and passionate graphic designer, who currently serves as a middleweight designer for Manchester based creative agency, Epigram Communications & Design.

Rhys Blanchard

I was always confident that my time at Salford was going to take me places, as a university that prides itself on equipping students with industry-ready skills while allowing them to stay passionate and true to what makes them tick. You should have this confidence too.

Rhys graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, followed by a master’s degree in media psychology. Rhys is now a PR consultant at world-renowned PR Firm, Weber Shandwick, where he helps to lead high-impact public relations campaigns and drive strategic communication initiatives.

Rhys gave not one, but two speeches in two consecutive ceremonies: one for the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology and one for the School of Health and Society.

Nathan Ball

The most important bit of advice I could give, is say yes to as many things as you can. For the simple reason, you have no idea what strengths you’ll gain from a new role until you do it.

Nathan studied a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science: Strength & Conditioning, followed by a master’s degree in Strength & Conditioning. He now serves as a firefighter for the London fire brigade and in 2023 received a commendation for his actions and bravery.

Peninah Wampamba

Get an understanding of what your values and have an idea of people who inspire you. Take time to step out your comfort zone.

Peninah graduated in 2019, completing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is now a neonatal intensive care nurse and serves as the director and corporate secretary for Eye Health Africa, an organisation focused on partnering with local and international organisations, providing affordable ophthalmologic care in Africa. She also co-founded Just Between Us Girls, a social and networking group for young women of colour.

Amanda Kirkpatrick

I feel that it was just as important to celebrate as it is to graduate, after all it’s an amazing achievement and you have all put in so much effort to be where you are today, make sure you give yourself the credit you deserve.

Amanda graduated in 2023, completing a bachelor’s degree in podiatry while juggling study as a single mother with two young children. She is passionate about health and social care and is now a podiatrist at NHS Foundation Trust.