A USC Education student who achieved outstanding academic results while raising a young family will receive USC’s highest honour at a USC graduation ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday 5 April) at 10am.

Indigenous education advocate Angie Rudd, 38, will be awarded a Chancellor’s Medal for her academic achievements and passionate advocacy for Indigenous education and welfare.

The mother-of-two, who is now working as a primary teacher in south-west Queensland, achieved a grade point average of 6.65 out of a possible 7 in her Education (Early Childhood) degree, earning her a Faculty Medal as well.

During her studies, Angie led a range of activities to advocate for the Sunshine Coast’s Indigenous community, including running cultural awareness training workshops for Early Childhood students and establishing an Indigenous community-based playgroup at Burnside.

The former Burnside resident said she was humbled and delighted to be receiving the Chancellor’s Medal at graduation, as well as a Faculty Medal for academic excellence.

“It’s the highest honour I can imagine,” Angie said. “I’ve always approached university with an attitude of doing my very best. I never expected to get top grades or a medal.

“It wasn’t always easy, but I think my passion for Indigenous education and the knowledge that I was a role model for other people in the community really spurred me on.”

Angie enrolled at USC when she was 33 after a career in childcare, and completed her degree part-time over six years before gaining a job at St George State School.

She said she could not wait to celebrate her graduation with her daughters, aged 9 and 12.

“The teaching staff at USC were so supportive of me as a single mum balancing work and study,” she said. “My daughters were always made to feel welcome, and now they can’t wait to attend university themselves.

“That made me even more motivated in my work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. I wanted to encourage their aspirations.”

Her graduation at Matthew Flinders College Performance Centre will be one of nine USC ceremonies from 5-7 April.

— Gen Kennedy