University News Last updated 14 July 2010
A Birmingham City University graduate is celebrating after being crowned ‘Career Development Star of the Year’ by her housing employer.
Dawn Aston Adams, who graduated from the BA Professional Housing Studies degree last year, scooped the accolade at a recent awards event, organised by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing. The awards recognised the contribution of the unsung ‘heroes’ of the housing sector.
Dawn is currently a customer service manager at Wolverhampton Homes. Under her management face-to-face customer services within the company have been transformed; resulting in shorter waiting times and greater satisfaction. She commented: “I was delighted to win the award. Undertaking my degree at Birmingham City University provided me with the skills needed to excel in my role; I had excellent lecturers who were very supportive and the course has provided me with a great foundation on which to build my future career.”
Sue Kunynec, Director of Human Resources at Wolverhampton Homes, said: “Dawn is a true asset to the company. Her enthusiasm, intelligence and commitment is an example to the whole organisation and we are extremely lucky to have a staff member of her calibre within our ranks.”
Dawn completed her degree at Birmingham City University part-time whilst bringing up her young son. Veronica Coatham, Head of the Division of Housing and Community Studies at Birmingham City University, said: “Despite her hectic schedule, Dawn showed great commitment and dedication to her degree and is continuing to do the same in her career. This award is testimony to her hard work and it is certainly well deserved.”
The Housing Heroes Awards presented by Ben Fogle at the Hilton Hotel London with more than 800 people attending from the Social Housing sector.