Top Marks Again for Ashleigh

Inclusion and Student Services Administrator Ashleigh Culbert has been awarded a prize from Heriot-Watt University for the second year in a row, for scoring top marks during her Graduate Apprenticeship degree.

Ashleigh, who is based in the Forth Valley College Falkirk Campus, has completed her second year on a Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Management – studying at Heriot-Watt for one day a week online - and has just started her third year.

However, she was surprised recently when she received a letter from the university saying she had won the Deputy Principal’s Award for 2025-26, for top marks in her course exams, a year after winning the same award for 2024-25!

In the letter Professor Tadhg O'Donovan, Deputy Principal (Education & Student Life) at Heriot-Watt University, said: “I am delighted to congratulate you on achieving the Deputy Principal's Award. This award recognises academic excellence and is granted annually to students who attain 90 credits or more at Grade A in their undergraduate degree studies. congratulations on this well-deserved recognition of your academic excellence.”

Ashleigh, said: “Receiving the Deputy Principal Award for the second year in a row is something I am really proud of. It has given me even more motivation and drive to make the most of the final two years of my Graduate Apprenticeship.

“Balancing a full-time job alongside university can be challenging at times, but receiving this award reflects the hard work I have put in, as well as the support I have received from Heriot-Watt University, Forth Valley College, my workplace mentor Laura Fraser, colleagues, family and friends, who have all encouraged me along the way and helped me get to this point.

“The Graduate Apprenticeship continues to provide me with the opportunity to learn new skills and apply them directly to my role at the College. It has helped me build confidence, look at my work from different perspectives, and develop both personally and professionally. I am excited to continue developing my skills, making the most of the opportunities ahead, and seeing where this journey takes me.”

Laura Fraser, FVC’s Skills Transition Centre Project Manager and mentor to Ashleigh, said: “I am incredibly proud of Ashleigh and all she has achieved. Successfully juggling a full-time job with the demands of a Graduate Apprenticeship is no easy task, and her dedication, determination and consistently strong work ethic are truly inspiring. 

“Receiving the Deputy Principal’s Award for a second consecutive year is thoroughly deserved. Ashleigh is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through commitment, resilience, and a genuine passion for learning, and it is a privilege to support her as her workplace mentor. I have every confidence that she will continue to go from strength to strength.”