2026 Student Presidential election results announced

Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) have announced their new part-time sabbatical officer role of President and Vice President for 2026/27.

Martin Podhorsky (18) from Alva, a HND Visual Communication student remains as Student President with 69% of the votes cast and Alisa Tkachenko (17) from Stirling, also a HND Visual Communication student, secured 58% of the vote to land the role of Vice President.

Returning Officer Stephen Jarvie – who is the College’s Corporate Governance and Planning Officer – congratulated the winning students, as well as the FVSA, and FVC staff members, who helped to organise the election. Rob McDermott FVC’s Head of Quality and Teaching Enhancement, Lisa Baxter FVC’s Student Association and University Partnership Manager, Kasia Slapek, FVSA Student Engagement Officer, Cara Captain, FVSA Administrator and outgoing Vice President Monika Smith also attended the election result event in the Falkirk Campus Steeple Suite on Friday 5 June.

Outgoing Vice President, Monika Smith, said: "As your Vice President, it has been a pleasure working with you and supporting our FVSA Team. I have enjoyed my time in this role. I wanted to be able to continue as vice president, but I am excited to be starting my HNC Childcare course. This will have a placement, meaning I cannot continue as VP.

"Today, I am so happy to welcome our new Vice President and our Student President. I wish them the very best in their role, and I know they will bring new ideas and energy to the team. I am looking forward to working with you as a student ambassador."

Rob McDermott, FVC's Head of Quality and Teaching, said: "Congratulations to Martin on winning another term and well done to Alisa on winning the race to become Vice President. Martin has done a great job as President, and I’m looking forward to working with Alisa as Vice President. I would also like to thank Monika for all her excellent efforts serving as Vice President.

“We value the strong partnership between the College and the Student Association. The sabbatical officers' role as board members as well as their engagement with a number of crucial committees within the college ensures that the student voice is part of the college decision making process. We hope to build on this over the next year working ever harder to have meaningful collaboration between the College and the student body.”

Kasia Slapek, FVSA Student Engagement Co-ordinator, said: “Congratulations to both Martin and Alisa on their success. The election period always brings great energy and excitement, and it’s been fantastic to see all candidates work so hard to understand students’ needs and develop their ideas.

“Martin and Alisa showed real dedication throughout their campaigns, engaging positively with students and earning their support. I’m really looking forward to working with them as part of the FVSA team. I’d also like to extend a thank you to Monika for all her contributions during her time as VP and for everything she has done for FVSA.”

Lisa Baxter, FVC’s Student Association and University Partnership Manager, said: “We are delighted to announce that Martin remains as our Student President and Alisa as our new Vice President. It is also important to recognise the hard work outgoing VP Monika has done in her tenure. She has been very dedicated and committed to the role and wish her well now that she is moving on to continue her studies. However, Monika will still be heavily involved with the FVSA as an executive member, which is fantastic.

“It was great to see a competitive election; many thanks to all our candidates and students who registered their interest. We look forward to the next academic year and all the good work and projects that the FVSA and the College will take forward together.”

For more information visit: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/student-info/student-association