Student of the year

Helen Smith - Higher Education Student of the Year

Helen has been selected as the winner of the Higher Education award, having completed her SVQ4 in Social Services and Healthcare an impressive four months ahead of schedule. Her assessor, Silvia Jost, praised Helen’s proactive approach to her studies, strong communication skills, and ability to apply theory to practice. Despite facing personal challenges during her studies, Helen ensured she stayed on track with deadlines, a real testament to her strength of character. Her early completion of the course, positive attitude and passion for learning make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Alyssa McGarrie - Further Education Student of the Year Joint Winner 

Alyssa’s path to success has not been without challenges. Having withdrawn from a previous course, she made the courageous decision to return to full-time study, taking on not one, but two demanding courses – Access to Care and Higher English. Her commitment to learning, maturity, and resilience have been widely praised. She has demonstrated leadership in group work, achieved top marks in assessments, and shown remarkable personal growth by regularly engaging with student support services to help manage her wellbeing and academic responsibilities. Centre Manager Judi Worthington highlighted Alyssa’s “quiet determination” and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Her resilience, openness, and willingness to grow have made a lasting impression on staff and her classmates alike.

Stephanie Kemp - Further Education Student of the Year Joint Winner 

Stephanie studied the NC Social Sciences Level 5 course, and has been recognised for her academic excellence, leadership, and supportive nature. Despite managing a demanding home life, including caring for three young children and dealing with additional support needs, Stephanie consistently produced high-quality work while offering support to a diverse range of classmates. She also took on the role of student voice representative and led a class project to create a self-help booklet for new students, encouraging her peers to share their experiences and advice. The final booklet was so well received that UHI Argyll is now considering using it as a resource for future student cohorts. Her lecturer, William MacLeod, described her as “a shining example of a student in our college.”