An inspirational Camborne lecturer has just returned from a glittering awards ceremony after being shortlisted for the national STAR awards.

Tia Hind, a lecturer in sociology and world development at Cornwall College Camborne, was nominated in the workforce development category of the awards. Although she did not win, Tia said being shortlisted and attending the event was enough reward for her.

“It was a huge honour to have been nominated for the award and it was a brilliant evening; a real celebration of further education.” Funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), the STAR Awards celebrate and reward the unsung heroes who work in the further education and skills sector.

In 18 months, Tia has considerably expanded the understanding of equality and diversity issues amongst staff and students at Cornwall College, Duchy College and Falmouth Marine School. Colleagues said that she was instrumental in developing a cultural diversity day, followed by a whole week of events earlier this year, as well as numerous other achievements including taking a group of students on a cultural visit to Zanzibar.

College principal Dave Linnell said: “Tia’s dedication to her work shines through in both her lecturing and her passion for raising the college's cultural diversity profile. “She fully deserves to be recognised nationally for her efforts and despite not winning the award, being shortlisted has propelled her hard work into the public eye.”