To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke with some of our inspiring colleagues to learn more about their lives both inside and outside the workplace, and to discover the women who have inspired them the most. 🌟

Tiffany

Can you tell us about yourself and what you do at Weston College / UCW?

I lead Talent Acquisition at Weston College Group, which means I help shape the teams that deliver everything we do for our students.

I’m very values-led in how I work. Honesty, clear communication and integrity matter to me. But I’m also motivated by innovation and improvement. I don’t believe in doing something a certain way just because it’s always been done that way. I’m naturally curious and often asking, is there a better way? Can we work smarter? Can we simplify? Can we try something different?

For me, recruitment isn’t just about filling roles, it’s about transformation. It’s about building strong systems, creating better experiences and continuously improving so we stay relevant and effective.

Outside of work, I compete in powerlifting. I started two and a half years ago out of pure curiosity, with no experience at all. Since then, through consistent training and a willingness to keep learning, I’ve progressed to competing at the British Championships alongside some of the strongest women in the UK.

What I love about the sport is its simplicity. You put the work in, you show up, and you improve. You don’t get every lift, and that’s part of it. You learn, you try again, and over time you get stronger. It’s a reminder that growth is built over time, and that failure is part of the process – in fact it’s often the quickest way to succeed!

Who are the women who inspire you most, and why?

One woman who has always inspired me is Maya Angelou.

She was an extraordinary poet, memoirist and civil rights activist, and her writing reached far beyond literature. She had a remarkable ability to connect with people, to educate, to challenge perspectives and to build understanding through her words.

Her work also played a part in shaping my own passion for writing poetry and spoken word. I’ve always been drawn to the way she used language with intention to create connection and to give voice to lived experience.

What I admire most is the way she combined truth with compassion. She spoke openly about race, identity and injustice, but always in a way that invited reflection rather than division. Her work created space for empathy and learning.

Her words, “People will forget what you said… but people will never forget how you made them feel,” have always stayed with me. That belief in the power of honest, thoughtful communication, and in the emotional impact of how we show up, is something I value deeply.

What’s one piece of advice you would give your younger self at the start of your career?

It’s okay if people see things differently to you.

Differences in opinion aren’t something to worry about, they’re a reflection of the range of perspectives and experiences people bring. Diversity of thought strengthens teams. It challenges assumptions and leads to more rounded decisions.

I would tell my younger self to stay humble, stay curious and be willing to step outside her comfort zone. When you don’t understand something, lean into it rather than away from it.

The first step of growth is being open to it.

Emily

Can you tell us about yourself and what you do at Weston College / UCW?

I am currently a Teaching, Learning and Assessment Manager in the Quality Improvement/Assurance team and I have worked at Weston College for almost 10 years! During this time, I've been a Lecturer of English, TLA Coach, and manager. The part of my job that I enjoy the most is supporting staff develop their TLA and how this can positively impact the culture and practice of colleagues around them. I mentor staff who are on our Initial Teacher Education programmes, and I am constantly in awe of their creativity so early on in their careers.

Outside Weston College, I am also a published writer. My proudest achievement is having written a chapter in an academic textbook focused on working class women in academia, which was discussed on Woman's Hour. (Although I feel a little rusty these days!) I am a Welsh speaker and had the majority of my education through the medium of Welsh - something I took for granted at the time!

Who are the women who inspire you most, and why?

My daughter, Indie, is a huge inspiration to me. Her confidence to try new things and assertiveness in social situations are qualities and skills which I hope only strengthen over time. To watch a human grow and be unapologetic in who they are is truly a phenomenal experience. Her empathy at such a young age astounds me every day.

My mum, Jane, is unfortunately in the final stages of dementia. As a result of this disease, so much of who she is has been stripped away. However, this means it's even more vital to remember who she 'was' and in many ways still is. My mum spoke five languages, she was a teacher, a confidant to many, and was incredibly creative. She embarked on woodwork courses, taught people how to ski (with my sister on her back...although this was the early 1980s!), and stood up for what she believed in even if this wasn't shared by the majority. I am grateful for opportunities now where I can talk about the inspiration that she is.

I am inspired by women who advocate for others and make change - even if it doesn't directly benefit themselves or their current situation. To be empathetic and notice that you can be a catalyst for change is incredible. Gisele Pelicot, a French woman who waived her right to anonymity as the survivor in the Pelicot case showed courage, dignity and vulnerability by speaking out about her unimaginable experiences. An incredible woman who carries out important and life changing work for people across the world.

What’s one piece of advice you would give your younger self at the start of your career?

"A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." - Lao Tzu. Fostering confidence and empowering others is something that I strive to do and embed in my life both personally and professionally. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be a leader. To champion, coach and celebrate so that others are empowered to believe in their own abilities are powerful tools which have lasting impact - on the individual and beyond.

Katie

Can you tell us about yourself and what you do at Weston College / UCW?

I’m Katie, a Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education. I’m an ex-art teacher, I have a three-legged cat called Archie and I love cycling.

Cycling is an incredible sport - it brings people together and creates a sense of freedom and adventure. However, it is also a sport that lacks parity. As a female cyclist, I’m underestimated. I’ve been patronised. When I’ve out-performed men, I’ve had comments made about my weight and physique in an attempt to explain why. These aren’t isolated incidents. Thankfully, female professional cycling is growing year on year and with that come more and more role models who are changing the face of the sport.

Who are the women who inspire you most, and why?

For me, the person who changed the game was Annemiek van Vleuten. Van Vleuten was the first pro female to train with the pro men. She argued for harder races so the women could show their true abilities, for more TV coverage for their events and for fair prize money. In 2022, one month before her 40th birthday, she raced the World Championship Road Race. She was one of the race favourites, but broke her elbow a few days before. Instead of going home, she raced in support of her Netherlands teammates. With 1km to go of the 160km race, she was the best placed Dutch rider. She put everything on the line, and rode away solo from a group of 13 riders. She crossed the line first, in utter disbelief at what she’d achieved. That moment encapsulated how powerful women are, what we can achieve against all odds and why we should never be underestimated.

What’s one piece of advice you would give your younger self at the start of your career?

The advice I would give my younger self is to have belief in my opinions and decisions and acknowledge my successes.