- A University of Sheffield student has been awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Medal for her exceptional commitments to leadership, global sustainability and inclusivity
- Maria Jose Gordillo Chiriboga, an international student from Peru, was awarded the medal due to her extraordinary achievements, both during and outside of her studies
- Maria’s successes led to her working with the Peru Ministry of Education, Amnesty International, TEDx and PepsiCo UK & Ireland
- Maria held several leadership positions in University student societies and organised events and trips to help other students make industry connections and develop skills for future careers in business
- She was presented with the engraved solid silver Chancellor’s Medal at her graduation ceremony today (Thursday 24 July 2025)
An inspiring international student has been awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Medal from the University of Sheffield for her exceptional work in leadership, championing inclusivity, and driving global sustainability efforts that reach far beyond campus.
Management and Economics graduate, Maria Jose Gordillo Chiriboga from Peru, received the Medal in recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments during her studies and exemplary contributions to university life, which have already set Maria on track for a successful career in business.
Maria chose to study Management and Economics at the University of Sheffield, which has allowed her to develop her strong values and passion for sustainability and inclusivity. Her work led to a placement with PepsiCo UK & Ireland as an Ecommerce Analyst, where she made a real-world impact improving logistics efficiencies allowing the company to reduce costs and CO2 emissions.
Whilst there she also led sustainability initiatives for the PepsiCo Green Team, working to involve employees and their families to have a positive impact on workplace culture and promoting the intertwining of sustainability and business success.
Maria has maintained strong links with her home country of Peru whilst studying at Sheffield, working with Amnesty International and climate action non-profit organisation (NGO) - Take Action Global - as a volunteer which led to a paid role as a Community Strategist. In this role, Maria was involved in negotiations with Peru’s Ministry of Education, as well as community outreach work. Her actions and commitment to sustainability as a young activist were submitted for a UNESCO report by the NGO.
The common thread throughout Maria’s achievements has been her dedication to develop solutions to societal challenges, and encouraging others to develop their skills and industry connections to do the same.
Her drive to help others led to her holding several leadership positions in University student societies, including the Investment Society, and most recently as President of the Women in Business Society, where she hosted events and trips empowering women in developing careers in business.
She also worked with the University's Emerge enterprise team to celebrate International Women’s Day and brought sell-out TEDx talks to the University, with speakers presenting on creating the future, personal development, women’s empowerment and sustainability.
Maria has also been a much valued Employability Ambassador for the Management School, School of Economics and the International Recruitment Office helping to foster a sense of community and belonging among prospective and current students and guiding those applying for placement years, internships and graduate jobs. She also provided support for disabled students through her work as a note taker and Support Worker for the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) team.
Her numerous achievements have earned her a place on the Dean’s list of students at the University of Sheffield’s Management School in recognition of her academic, employability and social responsibility-related achievements.
I am incredibly honoured to have received the Chancellor’s Medal, it is a special way to close this chapter of my time at Sheffield. It feels like a recognition not just of my own efforts, but also of the incredible people I have worked with over the past four years since I came to study here all the way from Peru!
What I am most proud of is the sense of community I have helped build alongside my studies at Sheffield. Whether that was inspiring students organising TEDxUniversityofSheffield, encouraging confidence and ambition in Women in Business, or supporting international students like myself as a Student Ambassador.
One standout moment was leading the Women in Business trip to London as the President this year, where we attended the EQUALL Conference at London Business School, seeing our members connect with professionals and feel empowered was incredibly rewarding.
Maria Jose Gordillo Chiriboga
Sheffield Alumni Class of 2025
Maria added: “Looking ahead, I hope to work connecting businesses with purpose. Since I was 17, I have been involved with a climate action NGO focused on sustainability education, and through my studies at Sheffield, I have learned more about the intersection of sustainability and innovation. Also, my placement year at PepsiCo as part of my degree helped me realise how much I enjoy working at the intersection of data, consumer behaviour, and strategy, and it sparked my interest in Ecommerce, which I’m excited to keep exploring professionally while keeping my passion for sustainability close to everything I do.”
The Chancellor’s Medal is awarded to a final year student or recent graduate of the university in recognition of outstanding attainment in academic, sporting activities or other personal achievements. Maria was presented with the engraved solid silver medal during her graduation ceremony.
Maria is an outstanding and deserving winner of the Chancellor's Medal. Throughout her studies, Maria has shown remarkable leadership skills and a deep commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. We are very pleased to be able to recognise her achievements and impact.
Professor Koen Lamberts
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield
Professor Paul Latreille, Chair in Management at the University of Sheffield’s Management School, nominated Maria for the award on behalf of the school and said she is amongst the most exceptional students he has encountered in his 30-year career.
He said: “I was absolutely delighted to see Maria receive this year's Chancellor's Award. She's an outstanding, highly motivated student who possesses a strong set of values rooted in a long-standing and deep commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
“Throughout her time in Sheffield she's made numerous, substantial contributions to the Management School and Economics, the University and wider society through a diverse set of leadership and other roles and activities, working across education and business boundaries, leading, developing, connecting and collaborating with others, it's a mystery how she finds time for any sleep!
“Maria is already making her mark in public life and it's been a privilege to be a small part of her journey, and I congratulate her on this latest, well-deserved accolade and wish her continued success in the future as she seeks to make the world a better place.”
The University of Sheffield's Management School is amongst the global elite of Triple Crown accredited business and management schools known for its world-class, innovative research and transformative education. Study with them to start a career that will have a positive impact on working lives, organisations and societies worldwide.
