‘Student of the year’ wins national social mobility award

An Exeter student has vowed to be the start of a “snowball of change” after winning at the Student Social Mobility Awards.

Zack Islam, a third-year student in Human Sciences with Proficiency in Law, picked up the Academic Success Award at a ceremony held in London last week.  

Zack, who was the first member of his family to go to university and relied on free school meals throughout his education, went on to win a place at Exeter and will graduate this summer.

At Exeter, Zack served on university equality and diversity and employability committees and is the recipient of the J.P. Morgan Opportunity Bursary and the Exeter Scholars Access Scholarship.

As President of the Penryn Campus Asian Society, he led the team to win four major awards including “Society of the Year” and hosted the first ever Penryn Campus’ Diwali celebration.

His success in creating opportunities for himself and for others led to him being named ‘student of the year’ at the 2024 Success for All conference. 

Describing what winning the award means to him, Zack said: “It’s a moment of deep pride – not just for myself, but for everyone who’s walked a similar path. From growing up in Luton, attending one of the UK’s lowest-performing schools, to now walking into J.P. Morgan’s Canary Wharf office, it’s a full-circle moment that shows what’s possible when potential is given a chance.”

He described his nomination as a “validation” of everything he has worked for, “from mentoring students from similar backgrounds, to leading inclusive initiatives at university, to constantly striving to open doors that once felt shut. It’s a reminder that our stories matter, and I hope mine inspires others to believe that where you start does not define where you can go.”

Zack described his path to Higher Educations as “anything but straightforward”.

“I was the first in my family to go to university and relied on free school meals throughout my education. On A-Level results day, I was rejected by both my firm and insurance university choices, which left me heartbroken, but I refused to give up. I earned a place at the University of Exeter to study Human Sciences with Proficiency in Law.”

Zack did an Investment Banking Summer Internship at J.P. Morgan, which gave him hands-on experience, and says his degree has given him an “interdisciplinary lens” by helping him to understand both people and policy – essential skills in a sector driven by global trends and human behaviour.

“I aspire to work in finance, not just to succeed personally, but to have the biggest impact possible, showing others that social mobility doesn’t stop at getting a degree, but continues into the boardrooms, trading floors and executive teams. If I can be the first, I won’t be the last. I want to be the start of a snowball of change.”

Zack has also been nominated for the National Social Mobility Changemaker category at the Sutton Trust Alumni Awards.