TikTok star among several to receive a University of Hertfordshire Alumni Award
Several University of Hertfordshire graduates have been recognised at the institution’s first Alumni Awards.
Among them is TikTok sensation Kit Brown.
The Awards celebrate inspiring, ambitious, and enterprising graduates from the University of Hertfordshire, recognising those who have made a significant impact across industry and society. Kit was among four winners and nine highly commended graduates welcomed back to campus for a ceremony held this week.
Kit rose to fame by sharing his experiences as a primary school teacher, and he has amassed close to two million followers on the popular video-sharing app. Kit is also a former BBC Bitesize presenter and an author. His debut children’s book, How to Shine at Primary School, helps readers get the best out of primary school, tackling subjects like anxiety and friendship.
Kit, who currently works at Peartree Spring Primary School in Stevenage, graduated with a BEd (Hons) Primary Education degree in 2020 and returned to Herts to receive the Rising Star award, presented to him on the night by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Quintin McKellar CBE.
Posting on his social media accounts, Kit said: “Today was one of my proudest moments. To win this award, with my mum there to share the special moment meant so much to me. Thank you University of Hertfordshire, I am incredibly humbled.”
Speaking at the event, University of Hertfordshire Vice-Chancellor Professor Quintin McKellar CBE said: “Our students are ambitious, and we empower them to make a real difference in the world. Those we have celebrated tonight are a testament to this. We had hundreds of nominations, and it was difficult for the judging panel to choose winners. Our awardees and highly commended alumni have significantly impacted their industries, from engineering to creative arts, and their success has paved the way for future graduates. We are proud of them, and I look forward to seeing what they continue to achieve in the future.”
Other winners included Emma Cutting, who won the Outstanding Achievement award. After graduating in 2014 with a BSc (Hons) Physiology degree, Emma has gone on to manage the neuroscience clinical trials team at the University of Cambridge, who work with world-leading neurologists running trials aiming to combat diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s.
1996 BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies graduate John Twitchen won the STEM Spotlight award given to innovators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With a fellow alum, John founded an award-winning company developing new ways to make and recycle polyester clothing, preventing materials from ending in landfills.
MSc Marketing (2012) graduate James Lindsay won the Alumni Ambassador of the Year award for his volunteering work at Herts. James is an Expert by Experience at the University, directly supporting students in the School of Health and Social Work. He has also published a book titled Befriending My Brain: A Psychosis Story, in which he documents his experience with and recovery from psychosis.