Honorary Graduates 2025

Alison Lowe OBE, Doctor of the University (honoris causa)

Alison Lowe is the Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime in West Yorkshire. For over 30 years, Alison has worked at the intersection of politics, policy and the voluntary sector, championing social justice for the communities she has served. During her time in the voluntary sector, Alison was Chief Executive of Touchstone, a mental health charity working across West Yorkshire with a particular focus on supporting individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Alison has also been involved in local government as a former Labour Party councillor. Over the years, Alison has been a well-known campaigner on equal rights and has chaired the Leeds Domestic Violence Forum that raises awareness of domestic violence against women and children by known men.

Jack Woodhams, Doctor of the University (honoris causa)

Jack Woodhams is co-founder of the community support groups Menfulness and Yorkey Dads. He graduated from York St John University in 2004, following which he served as President of the Students’ Union for two years. Jack has since devoted his career to challenging stigma and encouraging open conversations around men's mental health, drawing from his own lived experiences. In 2023, Menfulness achieved charitable status, gaining widespread recognition for its work in suicide prevention. Now a multi-award-winning charity, Menfulness has supported over 500 men to access counselling, providing vital pathways to professional mental health support. Most recently, the charity received funding from the Integrated Care Board to establish a presence in Scarborough, expanding its reach and impact in the region.