Progression Pathways, which launched in October 2024, is a programme of events and workshops which supports Black and Black Mixed heritage students to thrive at City St George’s and beyond.
It is a dedicated space where students can build confidence, explore their identity, develop practical skills and connect with peers, University staff and industry professionals.
At City St George’s, the awarding gap between Black and White students averaged 17 per cent between 2021 and 2024. This represents the percentage-point difference in students achieving a first-class or upper second-class degree. This was the largest awarding gap recorded across all student characteristics. Progression Pathways was developed in direct response to this, with a commitment through the University’s Access and Participation Plan to eliminate completion and degree attainment gaps between Black students and their White peers by 2030.
Speaking about the programme, Student Success Officer Evangeline Agyeman said: “I am so proud to be a part of the Progression Pathways programme and the impact it has made. To see students start the programme, often not knowing what to expect, and then seeing them leave with friends, improved professional skills and more confidence in navigating through university and life is a great to see.”
“Progression Pathways highlights the value of having targeted support and curating a space for Black and Black Mixed heritage students to be unapologetically themselves, maximise their strengths and be empowered by their identity, not hide or shy away from it.”
Creating opportunities to connect and grow
A key part of Progression Pathways is its varied programme of events and activities. Rather than focusing on a single aspect of the student experience, the Progression Pathways brings together academic development, careers, wellbeing, personal development and social connection.
The 2025–26 programme launched in October with Stories of Success: See Success. Be Success, an afternoon bringing together entrepreneur Giuseppe Baidoo, music artist Young Athena and City St George’s alumni. The event combined personal stories and a live performance with food, networking and opportunities for students to connect with others. Students who attended the event said: “I feel more motivated to go out my comfort zone and network. I also feel more motivated to explore different paths to reach my goals.”
The Accelerating Student Success sessions encouraged students to reflect on their identities, recognise internal barriers and consider how they position themselves at university and beyond. The Academic Edge focused on helping students understand the expectations of university and develop habits and approaches to support their academic potential.
The programme also gives participating students more opportunities to engage with professional services and prepare for life after university. Careers Compass gave students the chance to explore their interests, develop their skills and think about their future, supported by City St George’s Careers consultants and a panel of speakers. At LinkedIn Launchpad, students received practical advice on building their professional profile, developing their personal brand and connecting with employers, alongside professional LinkedIn headshots and dedicated time to work on their profiles. Speaking after the Careers Compass event, a student said they now planned “to place myself in spaces where I don’t usually find myself and to be more confident and open”.
Support beyond the workshops
The programme also offers personalised support. Students were selected for one-to-one professional coaching opportunities, consisting of six structured online sessions focused on goals, confidence, professionalism, mindset and strategies for personal and professional development.
The year concluded with an end-of-year celebration, giving students the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and celebrate their involvement in the programme. At the event, students reflected about arriving at Progression Pathways not knowing what to expect, and leaving with friends, professional connections and a clearer sense of who they are and what they are capable of.
Reaching more than 200 students
The scale of engagement demonstrates the interest in this type of targeted support. Across the 2025–26 programme, there were 471 sign-ups and 216 students attended at least one event.
Reflecting on this success, Evangeline Agyeman said: “This year we have worked with over two hundred students, delivered ten events, offered sixteen job opportunities and we hope to continue to expand and bring even more students. I am always grateful to meet such a range and dynamic group of students through all the different types of events we run.”
As the programme continues to develop, the ambition is to reach even more students and build on the relationships, confidence and skills developed through this year’s programme, which students can carry with them throughout university and into their future careers.