Forth Valley College’s Student of the Year for 2020 is HNC Working With Communities student Sam Hudson from Tullibody.
Sam (34) who graduated in June 2020, and also won the Most Inspirational Student in the Department of Business and Communities graduation prize, is now continuing her studies at the University of the West of Scotland on a BA (Hons) Degree.
She said: “It's amazing, absolutely brilliant. I was surprised to win a Department award let alone the Student of the Year!
"I was in a university lecture when it was announced and I wondered why my phone was so busy with calls and texts coming in. It was my family and friends getting in touch to say well done.
"I am proud of myself, but it is more the fact that the positive impact I am making in the community, is really making a difference."
Sam explained how she started on the course: "After a few rocky years and becoming a loan parent, I started the NC Working with Communities course two years ago with little self-confidence or belief. Never in a million years did I think I would go on to complete the HNC or apply for university. The support and learning throughout at FVC developed my confidence and abilities and I have met some amazing people along the way too.
“The lecturers who deliver the course were supportive and encouraging and they used lived experience to further develop my learning. Moving to the new Falkirk Campus was exciting and the new building was very impressive.
“The course has benefited me as at the start all I knew was that I wanted to gain employment in a community. But with the personal development and in-depth teachings of Working with Communities, I soon discovered a real passion and aptitude for empowering people and helping them to discover their true potential and wanting to see positive change within society.
“I would recommend the course as it not only gives you the skills, knowledge and experience of community work, but builds a person’s confidence and interpersonal skills too.”
Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson said: “Sam has shown time and again throughout her course how enthusiastic, determined and talented she is. This was exemplified at the start of the pandemic lockdown in March when she was at the heart of a Community Hub, that she and her classmates set up in Alloa to help vulnerable people in her community. She has gone above and beyond what has been expected of her and is now deservedly progressing on to the University of the West of Scotland to continue her studies.
“Sam is an outstanding student and thoroughly deserves her Student of the Year award. She is a credit to herself, her family and to the College and we know she will continue to excel in her career.”