Student of the year
UHI Argyll Student of the Year 2024
To celebrate the achievements of our students, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Student of the Year Awards.
Categories
- Schools Link Award - open to any student undertaking a schools link course with us in the current academic year. This includes NQs Skills for work courses and Foundation Apprenticeships.
- Further Education - open to any student undertaking a full time or short-full time FE course of study (SCQF Level 6 or below) in the current academic year.
- Higher Education - open to any student undertaking a full time HE course of study (SCQF Level 7 - 10) in the current academic year.
2024 Winners
Megan Ingham - Higher Education Student of the Year
Megan Ingham, from the Isle of Arran, has been named as UHI Argyll’s Higher Education Student of the Year 2024. Megan was nominated for the award not once, but twice, having demonstrated unwavering commitment to her studies and career goals by having her second child alongside studying for her HNC in Childhood Practice.
Megan already had a busy home life, with a partner and toddler at home. Upon discovering she was pregnant with her second child, she did not let the news deter her, but instead found it enhanced her motivation. Throughout the course Megan’s work ethic was commendable, consistently producing work of a high standard, passing all her assignments, often submitting work before it was due, and having excellent attendance.
Only days after having her second child, Poppy, Megan returned to class linking in remotely from home, joined by the new addition. Megan’s lecturer, Kyla Steele, who nominated her for the award, describes her as ‘a true inspiration to female students and parents who wish to study.’
Research shows that 60-65% of student parents have considered leaving their course. However, stories like Megan’s demonstrate that with determination, resilience and the help of an inclusive learning environment, success is achievable.
UHI Argyll Arran Centre Manager, Judi Worthington, who also nominated Megan for the award, said: ‘With the support of her lecturers, Megan has embraced the challenges she’s faced, juggling parenting, childcare, pregnancy and new learning, facing each one with a positive attitude, a smile on her face, and an unwavering determination to succeed. It has been exhausting and difficult at times, but through maintaining an ongoing dialogue with her lecturers, placement provider and centre staff, it has allowed the flexibility she required to continue to study.’
Siobhan Moore - Further Education Student of the Year
Dunoon student, Siobhan Moore, has been named as UHI Argyll’s Further Education Student of the Year 2024.
Siobhan, who studied on the NQ Health and Social Care course, received multiple nominations for the award, in recognition of her outstanding work ethic, determination, and positive attitude.
Upon first starting the course, Siobhan was unsure whether she would be able to complete her studies successfully. A demanding home life, dealing with her own health needs and managing childcare responsibilities as a single parent to her young son with complex support needs, posed additional challenges for Siobhan.
At times, the college has been her sanctuary, often coming in on her days off to continue her work within the college environment, which she found more conducive to study.
Her warm and friendly demeanour and willingness to help her peers has been an asset on the course, and she was voted class representative by her cohort.
The past year has seen Siobhan flourish, and she now hopes to continue her studies next year. The centre staff in Dunoon will be pleased to have her back!
Mia MacLaren - Schools Link Student of the Year
Mia MacLaren, 5th year student at Campbeltown Grammar School has been named as the 2024 Schools Link Student of the Year for Argyll and Bute.
Nominated by two of her lecturers, Mia undertook the Health Sector Schools Link course with UHI Argyll. Whilst undertaking the networked course gave Mia the chance to meet other students across Argyll with similar interests to her, it was not without its challenges, as Mia was the only student from her school studying on the course.
Being a solo student, Mia was initially quite reserved in class, however, as her confidence built, she recognised the value of contributing to discussions and was often the first to share her thoughts.
Mia’s resilience shone during the practical assessment element of the course. With no fellow classmates based in Campbeltown, Mia completed the assessment with a lecturer from a different course, demonstrating her maturity, strong communication and interpersonal.