Social Policy student scoops memorial award

Despite not knowing what social policy was when she began her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 2019, Alyssa Cowie has since found it to be her niche. This year, she was named the recipient of the Ian Shirley Award, which is presented annually to a graduating year student with the highest combined GPA across the 279 prefix courses within the Bachelor of Social Work or BA (Social Policy) qualifications.

Alyssa says she was always interested in educational psychology, and enrolled to complete a major in that topic. “After completing my first semester of study, I decided I also wanted to learn about how the education system works, and how it can be altered to improve collective student outcomes inside and outside of the classroom. After a bit of research on the Massey website, I discovered social policy and selected it as my second major.”

Alyssa is the first person in her family to attend university and says she always wanted to try her hardest to do well, to prove to herself that she could do it.

Alyssa says it was an unexpected honour to receive the award, especially given the incredible work Professor Shirley accomplished in his professional life. “Studying at the tertiary level was always a nerve-wracking concept for me, so to be recognised with this award makes the endless hours I put in all work it and makes me proud of the work I produced.”

Alyssa is now at home with a newborn, but says she hopes to secure a policy advisory or analysis role in the near future. “I hope to eventually be involved in creating and reforming education policy to improve our education system, and to hopefully have a positive impact on student wellbeing and outcomes on a larger scale.”

Head of School of Social Work, Professor Kieran O’Donoghue commended Alyssa on her achievement. “Alyssa has demonstrated commitment to social policy and aspirations to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities. We wish her and her family all the best for the future, and hope she will return to undertake postgraduate study.”

About the award

Professor Ian Shirley worked for the social work and social policy program at Massey from 1977 to 2000, and was the Head of Unit/Department from 1984 to 1998. Professor Shirley was awarded his PhD from Massey and became a Professor in 1986. He was the first Head of Department to be based on the Auckland campus, and his leadership was instrumental in social work and social policy being offered in Auckland. Professor Shirley made a significant and lasting contribution to social policy, community development, and social work.

The award was established in Professor Shirley’s honour with the aim to recognise significant student achievement in social policy courses undertaken as part of their completed qualification.