Jane Harding was nominated for this award by two different staff members. Both nominations are included below
Nomination 1
I am honoured to have the opportunity to nominate Jane Harding for NUSW Staff Member of the Year. I firmly believe that nobody deserves to be nominated more than this wonderful lady who has been a hardworking, committed and dedicated adviser for over eight years in our organisation. Student Advice gives advice and support to over 3,000 students a year, many of whom are at their most vulnerable and most frightened. Jane is the backbone of the service. Over the last eight years Jane has provided incalculable amounts of support for thousands of students. Although Jane’s work is largely hidden from view because of the sensitive and confidential nature of her work, her colleagues and students know her to be a fantastically skilled and astute adviser, knowing exactly what to say and how to say it. Jane is always fully focused, always objective and always smiling. Jane has an amazing ability to cut through the cloud that surrounds most issues and bring clarity in the face of confusion – both with students and the University. Faced with a daily conveyer-belt of upset students, Jane provides practical, relevant and non-judgmental guidance to students that safeguards and enhances their student experience. Jane is one of the most modest people I have had the pleasure of working with. I have no doubt that she would look away with consternation upon hearing her colleagues say that she is the most intelligent, most compassionate and most valued member of the team. Her unparalleled commitment to supporting students means that she regards her working hours as a formality. University can be a difficult and challenging time for students but no case is too difficult, no problem so big that Jane cannot provide comfort. Her door is always open and she is never too busy to usher in a distressed student.
Fostering collaboration between students and staff members
To say that Jane is student facing would be to understate that Jane is on the coalface of student problems. Nobody is more aware of the strife of ordinary students than Jane. She is compassionate but very straight talking and unafraid to challenge poor practice when she sees it. It is one of many admirable qualities that Jane is capable of tactfully handling difficult situations with University staff, whilst also championing student rights and procedural fairness. Jane is an impressive advocate in University panel hearings. In an exceptionally difficult case in the summer of 2016, 30 medical students were accused of breaching their Fitness to Practice regulations. Jane assisted or represented over half of the students affected and was able to ensure that students represented by their Students’ Union achieved the same outcomes as students represented by qualified barristers. More than anything else, Jane is adept at empowering students to help themselves. She is courageous in defending students from a system that can be harsh and unfair, but she knows exactly when to let a student speak for themselves. Her understanding of the University and the nuances of achieving a practical outcome is incredibly impressive.
Jane is a committed member of the Joint Consultation Committee (JCC) responsible for representing staff interests. One colleague described how much specialist knowledge and understanding Jane brings to the group. He has confirmed our expectations that she is bold and tactful, but never afraid to stand up for unseen or unheard colleagues. More than anything on the JCC Jane always has students’ interests at heart. Sabbatical officers over the years have looked to Jane as a source of reassurance and counsel.
Jane has been fundamental in the creation of a new ‘Student Advice Exec’ and has recently pushed for an expansion of the role of volunteers in Student Advice. Under Jane’s supervision the volunteer team are now capable of providing basic housing advice and the checking of tenancy agreements. When all is said and done Jane loves the Advice volunteers and they love Jane.
The effect of Jane's work
Jane has been instrumental in the safeguarding and enhancing of the student experience for countless numbers of students. She is the unseen hero of the Student Advice department and she embodies the support that the Students’ Union should be aspiring to provide. Jane epitomises approachability – students always know there is someone they can approach when they need them most and Jane’s impact on Student Welfare is significant. Moreover Jane has buckets of patience. The students who come to Student Advice can sometimes be confused and can present challenges that test the staff. Jane has never failed that test. Jane is so much more than an adviser and the dozens of thank you cards that decorate Jane’s office are testament to the positive impact she has on her students’ lives. It has been observed that if on a quiet day you sit in Student Advice, the phrase that you will hear loudly repeated most from Jane’s office is ‘DON’T PANIC’. Ultimately Jane is Student Advice and her colleagues simply could not imagine the department without her. Jane is an experienced and gifted adviser, a devoted member of staff and respected colleague. She is a role model for her team and adored by students and staff alike. For her unending compassion I am nominating Jane for NUSW Staff Member of the Year.
Nomination 2
Who are you nominating and why?
I firmly believe that nobody deserves to be nominated more than this wonderful lady who has been a hardworking, committed and dedicated adviser for over eight years in our organisation.
Student Advice gives advice and support to over 3,000 students a year, many of whom are at their most vulnerable and most frightened. Jane is the backbone of the service.
Over the last eight years Jane has provided incalculable amounts of support for thousands of students. Although Jane’s work is largely hidden from view because of the sensitive and confidential nature of her work, her colleagues and students know her to be a fantastically skilled and astute adviser, knowing exactly what to say and how to say it.
Jane is always fully focused, always objective and always smiling. Jane has an amazing ability to cut through the cloud that surrounds most issues and bring clarity in the face of confusion – both with students and the University. Faced with a daily conveyer-belt of upset students, Jane provides practical, relevant and non-judgmental guidance to students that safeguards and enhances their student experience.
How have they fostered collaboration with students and staff members?
Jane is an impressive advocate in University panel hearings. In an exceptionally difficult case in the summer of 2016, 30 medical students were accused of breaching their Fitness to Practice regulations. Jane assisted or represented over half of the students affected and was able to ensure that students represented by their Students’ Union achieved the same outcomes as students represented by qualified barristers.
More than anything else, Jane is adept at empowering students to help themselves. She is courageous in defending students from a system that can be harsh and unfair, but she knows exactly when to let a student speak for themselves.
Jane is also a committed member of the Joint Consultation Committee (JCC) responsible for representing staff interests. One colleague on that committee has described how much specialist knowledge and understanding Jane brings to the group. He has confirmed our expectations that she is bold and tactful, but never afraid to stand up for unseen or unheard colleagues. Further it has been reported that Jane brings a wonderful sense of perspective and a reassuring presence that her colleagues look up to and respect.
Sabbatical officers over the years have looked to Jane as a source of reassurance and counsel. They know her door is always open and she has once again provided unquantifiable amounts of expert support at the most difficult times of their year.
Despite her considerable experience, she has at all times remained opened minded to new ideas and innovation. Jane has been fundamental in the creation of a new ‘Student Advice Exec’ and has recently pushed for an expansion of the role of volunteers in Student Advice. Under Jane’s supervision the volunteer team are now capable of providing basic housing advice and the checking of tenancy agreements.
What has been the result of their work?
Jane epitomises approachability – students always know there is someone they can approach when they need them most and Jane’s impact on Student Welfare is significant. Moreover Jane has buckets of patience. The students who come to Student Advice can sometimes be confused and can present challenges that test the staff. Jane has never failed that test.
Ultimately Jane is Student Advice and her colleagues simply could not imagine the department without her. Jane is an experienced and gifted adviser, a devoted member of staff and respected colleague. She is a role model for her team and adored by students and staff alike. For her unending compassion I am nominating Jane for NUSW Staff Member of the Year.