Billie aims to follow in Jenny Simpson's footsteps thanks to memorial scholarship
CQUniversity Bachelor of Arts student Billie Hughes is pursuing her desire to be a voice for the environment thanks to the 2021 Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship, valued at $2000, is named after late CQU teacher Jenny Simpson, an inspirational academic and champion of the Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) course at CQUniversity.
The funds assist graduating STEPS students with educational expenses as they progress into any undergraduate program at CQUniversity.
Bundaberg resident Billie enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts after she completed STEPS at CQUni in 2020.
"I love to write and have a large passion for the environment, so I have decided to major in both journalism and geography," she said.
"My goal is to give a voice to those who need it most. Whether that be human or animal' I believe I can achieve that goal through journalism."
"Like Jenny Simpson, my passion and drive lead me to where I need to be in life. With this support I will be able to study with ease and achieve my goal of becoming a journalist."
Billie paid tribute to her supports at CQUniversity, and in her community.
"Thank you for believing in me. I am honoured to be receiving the Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship in 2021."
Over the past three and a half years, Billie has ramped up her efforts, volunteering 1900 hours of work at Alexandra Park Zoo in Bundaberg.
She has also volunteered at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane and completed work experience at Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney.
She has also created a travel blog (The Wild Travel Chic) to support solo travellers throughout the world.
CQUniversity is honoured to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Jenny Simpson, and extends deepest thanks to Jenny's family, friends and colleagues who make this scholarship possible through the CQUniCares Student Success Fund.
Jenny Simpson was an extraordinary person. She was a passionate teacher, a transformative educator, a vigorous researcher, and for her students she was an inspiration.
She gave of herself to ensure that students who previously may not have had the opportunity to achieve a tertiary education were able to do so. She was responsible for enabling second-chance adult learners to effect change in their lives, to feel empowered and to be awakened to their true abilities.
She dedicated 15 years of her life to providing more than 1000 CQUniversity students with the opportunity to achieve the necessary requirements to equip them with the skills and confidence to embark on a tertiary education.
She lived by the quote: "I think; therefore I am. I imagine: therefore I can be more", a value that she instilled in all of her students.
STEPS can be completed over one term, or across up to six terms, with student intakes across each of CQUniversity's three terms.
For more information and to register for an information session, visit CQU’s STEPS website.
