Queen’s Graduate Association President Victoria Denoon has focused on helping Queen’s alumni remain connected during the pandemic.

She has led key activity by the Association, including conducting online events and sponsoring the Student Christmas lunches for students remaining on campus over the holidays.

What is your role at Queen's?

I am currently president of the Queen’s Graduates’ Association (QGA).

How long have you worked here?

I have been serving in this capacity since 2019 and have been a member of the committee since 2018.

Can you outline some of the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic?

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on all of us and we will be feeling the effects for some time to come, however, one of nice things to have come out of how we have responded to the pandemic has been a focus on staying connected and checking in on each other albeit virtually for the most part. Staying connected is what being a member of the QGA is all about and keeping those connections going is something I hope we can continue for the foreseeable future.

This has been important for the QGA to try and keep as many annual activities as possible going. Some of the things we have delivered over the past year include continuing to award our student scholarships, this year they went to two outstanding women in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences; honouring the Graduate of the Year; sending out a quarterly email; sponsoring Christmas lunches for students living in halls; an online quiz and our first ever virtually conducted Annual General Meeting.

Can you share any moments of positivity or joy?

One of the most uplifting moments of the pandemic in my role with the QGA was the presentation of the Student of the Year award to all frontline final year and graduating students who have completed their studies early, to join the NHS workforce. It was a privilege to be part of the process that acknowledged these outstanding students for selflessly stepping forward to aid the fight against COVID-19 in the community in various locations throughout Northern Ireland.