Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) have announced their new President and Vice President after what is believed to be the ‘best ever’ campaign for the sabbatical full-time roles.
A total of 768 votes were cast for the three candidates – up 1300% on the last elections - for President and two for Vice President with HNC Applied Biological Sciences student Steve Kemlo winning the race for the top job and HND Business student Kirsten Kennedy securing the Vice President role.
The two other candidates for President: Kellar McMorran (HND Make-up Artistry) and Ewan Aiken (HNC Working with Communities) and the other candidate for VP: Adler Mota Velasco Flores (HND Creative Industries: Media and Communication), were also congratulated for running an excellent campaign.
Candidates campaigned for student votes between Monday 17 – Friday 28 April and Returning Officer Stephen Jarvie – who is also the College’s Corporate Governance and Planning Officer – congratulated all those students involved as well as the FVSA, and FVC staff members, who did an “Excellent job to be proud of, by encouraging such a staggering level of engagement in the election”.
New President Steve Kemlo from Stirling, said: “I feel proud to represent the students and have the opportunity to bring my personality and passion to help them while they are at College. I am looking forward to it very much.
“My advice to students is, be yourself and don’t feel scared to approach me whenever you need me. My door is always open.”
New Vice President Kirsten Kennedy from Alloa, said: “I really have no words… other than to say I am absolutely blown away and soo, so happy to take up this role. I too am looking forward to the challenge. I am up for it and I will put my all into it.
“I would like to say to my fellow students that I started as a mature student so they should believe in themselves, because if I can study for a College qualification anyone can!”
The new Student President and Vice president will work together to represent the voice of students across Forth Valley College during the 2023-24 academic term, they are expected to take up post from July 2023.
Andrew Kinnell, Student Engagement Co-ordinator: “Congratulations to the newly elected FVSA Student President and Vice President, I look forward to working with you both. Well done also to all candidates who ran exemplary campaigns, all of you should be very proud of the effort you put in and the manner in which you conducted yourselves.
“Voting turnout was up over 1300% on last year and this was largely due to the hard work and effort of all the candidates who for two weeks went out of their comfort zones and ran very engaging campaigns.
“In addition, I would like to thank all staff who encouraged students to vote and our amazing election sponsors who have provided popular prizes which incentivised voting. This election has set a benchmark for success and going forward we aim to continue to improve upon the turnout and participation we have seen.”
It has also been announced that current Forth Valley Student Association’s (FVSA) Vice President, Claire Green, will be leaving the Student Association next week following her resignation, her official last day in post will be Thursday 18 May.
Claire began her journey at FVC back in 2015 as a business student and has since held many roles within the Student Association. She first began by volunteering as Class Rep for her course over a number of years and then went on to hold elected volunteer positions as Disabled Student’s Officer and Executive Officer.
Claire also actively supported student led societies such as the Disabled Students Alliance and the Gaming Society. In May 2021 Claire was announced as FVSA’s next Vice President and through this role became one of the lead representatives of students across Forth Valley College for almost two years, following her re-election in May 2022 for her second and final year.
Everyone at Forth Valley Student Association would like to wish Claire all the best in her next steps and would like to thank her for her continued support and contribution to Forth Valley Student Association.
