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Graduate makes a transition that transforms his life

09/08/2024

A powerful new campaign by the University of Wolverhampton is all set to shine a spotlight on one graduate’s experience of making a major transition which has completely transformed his life. 

Nate Ethan-Watson, 40, born and bred in Wolverhampton, graduated from the University in 2019 with a first-class honours degree in Public Health and has been described as the UK’s first transgender rapper. He has written and produced the music for an impactful video, Could it be?, which outlines his transformative journey as he was transitioning whilst studying for his degree.  

As the face of the University’s Clearing campaign running throughout August – a key recruitment time for higher education institutions across the UK in the run up to A Level results day – Nate relays his experiences and emotions through the spoken word, attributing much of his personal and professional success to studying for his degree at the University. 

A portrait of graduate Nate Ethan-Watson sitting on a speaker looking at the camera

Nate is a proud Wulfrunian who still lives locally and, after working in the NHS as a care worker in Mental Health for several years, he decided to study for a Public Health degree at the University as a mature student where he also won an award for Academic Excellence. 

In his second year Nate transitioned and has since been a keen advocate for LBGTQ+ rights. After graduating he set up TNB Connect, a Community Interest Company (CIC) created to support the Transgender and Non-binary community.  

TNB Connect supports individuals by reducing isolation, improving mental wellbeing and alleviating gender dysphoria. In recognition for his work in this area he won a National Diversity Award: Positive Role Model LGBT 2022. Nate now creates workshops to raise awareness and address public health issues within marginalized communities. 

Alongside his community work Nate is also a professional musician and rap artist, dubbed the UK'S First Trans Rapper by the BBC, and he recently performed at the Wolverhampton Pride festival. His latest release "Rise Up" is deeply personal and emotive, reflecting Nate's own experiences of overcoming adversity and finding strength within himself. 

Nate said: “To be honest, when I was at school I didn’t have any ambition to go to university. I just wanted to be a musician. I did go on to college to study A Levels, but I didn’t finish the courses. My music was beginning to take off, I was performing around the country and, at the same time, I wanted to stay grounded so I began to work in the care industry. I progressed through the healthcare sector, while continuing with my music, balancing the two things. I became just as passionate about my work in care as I was about my music. 

“I kept getting drawn back to Wolverhampton after having conversations with people about perhaps going to university. My experience once I started at here was more than I ever expected. It was like another world, it was a safe space for me to be myself, and it’s so diverse that I met so many people. 

“I knew when I started here that I was coming to a time of change for myself, I’d been waiting for years not knowing when this time was going to come – and that was the start of my transitioning. I made that change going into my second year and had to change my name, tell my lecturers. And if anyone questions the diversity of this University, it really is a place to be free, you’re going to feel included whoever you are, whatever your background, race, gender, identity. 

“To be performing now as the real me, the true me, I think the whole experience at the University has impacted my life more than I could imagine. I was in a space where I was celebrated. My message to anyone who is thinking of starting at university, is take that first step. It has transformed my life, and it could do the same for you.” 

Amie Williams, Brand Marketing Manager at the University, said: “This new campaign really epitomises everything our University stands for and really reflects the ethos of our new Strategy 2035 – creating opportunity and transforming futures. 

“Through his business, music and advocacy work, Nate actively contributes to the well-being and positive transformation of many people’s lives in Wolverhampton and beyond. He is most certainly a Wulfrunian to be proud of and, being the first in his family to go to university, he is an outstanding role model for our current students as well as those who are thinking of applying to study at the University in September.” 

You can listen to Nate's full story on our new podcast platform, Every Story Has a Start.

For enquiries regarding alumni events or to share news, contact the alumni team at alumni@wlv.ac.uk. 

After graduation, graduates become members of the Alumni Association and are encouraged to keep in touch, to take advantage of a wide range of benefits and support on offer, including a discount for postgraduate study.   

To find out more about graduate success, check out the Every Story Has a Start web page which showcases our exceptional alumni across the globe doing incredible things. High achievers from the worlds of literature, business, sport, film and the arts feature, sharing how their lives and careers have developed since their days studying with us. 

Anyone interested in courses at the University should register for one of our Open Days.  

ENDS 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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