The British Council on Monday, January 11th announced finalists for the UK Alumni Award 2016. A tweet sent out by the British Council recognized me along with several finalists, who will be vying for the esteemed category of ‘Social Impact’ under the alumni awards. I’m thrilled to be recognized and to be part of such a dynamic group of social leaders. The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, who yearly recognizes outstanding alumni.

I attended University College London (UCL) as a graduate student at the School of Public Policy studying human rights. University College London is part of the University of London system, which includes King’s College London and the London School of Economics.

My application highlighted successful work on advocating on behalf of LGBT Missourians notably within St. Louis County municipalities and hospitals across Missouri. During the time of the application, I held the position of manager of public policy for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization. My work at PROMO included managing the public policy portfolio for the organization, which includes the LGBT health access project and state agency project.

Meet @EducationUK Alumni Awards 2016 Finalist Andrew Shaughnessy @AndrewShag @uclnews. https://t.co/Wtm9I48vfx pic.twitter.com/fArrWwmPTY

— British Council (@usaBritish) March 1, 2016

Missouri State Representative Tracy McCreery (D-88) said in a letter to the British Council, “I wholeheartedly believe that Andrew Shaughnessy should be recognized with the UK Alumni Social Impact Award. The work he has done in and around the state of Missouri has dramatically improved the lives of others.” She graciously goes on to say, “Simply put, LGBT Missourians’ lives are better and healthier due to Andrew Shaughnessy’s work.”