October 31, 2018

A love of learning inspires Nancy to study law

UOW Director celebrates graduation with colleagues, family

Dr Nancy Huggett has been involved in countless graduations at the University of Wollongong (UOW).

In former roles at the University and in her current position as Director of the Governance and Legal Division at UOW, she often assists with aspects of graduation behind the scenes and occasionally oversees the event as Master of Ceremonies.

But on Wednesday (31 October), Nancy was on the other side, donning her blue gown and trencher along with hundreds of other graduating students, as she received her Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry).

“It’s really exciting to be here as a student receiving my degree rather than to be staffing the event as I have been in the past,” Nancy said.

It is a proud moment for Nancy, who has spent six years studying the degree part time, in addition to her day-to-day role and juggling life as a mother of three.

She began the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) because, quite simply, she loves to learn.

“I love studying,” Nancy said. “Legal issues were relevant to the work I was doing at the time in the governance team. I was interested in the language of law, how you can interpret past cases or legislative provisions to create a narrative to build a case.”

“I love the grey areas of the law. I enjoyed the legal research and studying the legal theory. I also enjoyed discussing issues with fellow students and the passionate and dedicated staff in the School of Law.”

Nancy first came to UOW as an exchange student from Exeter University, in the United Kingdom, while she was studying her Bachelor of Arts as an undergraduate.

She spent a year studying at UOW, but that exchange year turned into a lifelong connection when she met her future husband (who was then a law student) at Campus East.

Nancy Huggett with her UOW colleagues. Photo: Paul Jones

After completing a PhD at UOW focusing on cultural studies and oral history relating to cinema-going in the Illawarra in 2003, Nancy and her husband moved to Canberra to work as public servants, before then relocating to Sydney.

“I was working for the Office of Film and Literature Classification, where I spent a lot of time watching films, writing policy, and answering letters justifying the classifications that the Board had given films,” Nancy said. “Then a colleague came to UOW, and after a year, she told me about a position had opened in the governance team. It was closer to home and a chance to go back to UOW”.

“While I was studying law, I took on the position of the Director of the Governance and Legal Division. This degree has really helped with my role, because I was familiar with the issues my legal team were dealing with and some of the principles and cases were fresh in my mind. It has really complemented my daily work.”

The youngest of Nancy’s three children attended the graduation ceremony – her 18-year-old daughter was in an HSC exam and her son Jake was at school – and she said it’s not the last time she will be wearing the cap and gown.

“I’m not finished studying,” Nancy said. “Next time, I’d like to go back to my interests in literature and the arts. I love learning new things. It keeps you curious, it keeps your mind active, and it helps you to see things from new perspectives.”