A BOLTON ex-pat has received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her services to social work in America.

Susan McAlvie, aged 59, attended Mount St Joseph’s school and later worked in London but moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1984.

As the Director of Social Work and the Director of Women and Gender studies at Mesa Community College in Arizona, she worked tirelessly to develop degree programmes tailored to the needs of the local community.

This included creating addiction courses and factoring in community work for students enrolled on her programmes.

Her efforts saw a rise in student registration from just 40 to more than 300, over a period of 12 years.

Her achievement was recognised last month when she was awarded the prestigious accolade by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Mrs McAlvie said: “I was very proud and humbled to receive the award.”

The academic, whose parents still live in Bank Top, returns frequently to Bolton.

She added: “I really miss the pasties and the pies.”