2019/20 Ayrshire College Student Association team ready to help
The new Student President and Student Vice President of the Ayrshire College Student Association have started in their new roles.
Jack McCrindle, a former Sound Production student who was the Student Vice President last year, takes over from Kevin Simpson as the Student President, while former Social Sciences student Lauren Howieson replaces Jack as the new Student Vice President.
Both students come from Ardrossan and will split their time equally between all Ayrshire College campuses to ensure they are visible to all students and can be approached by anyone.
The Ayrshire College Student Association exists to help make Ayrshire College students’ journey as enjoyable as possible and support them through any issues that they may have.
Jack and Lauren were voted into the positions by their fellow students at the Student Association elections, and both are keen to repay that faith by helping as many students as possible in 2019/20.
Jack said “After being the Vice President last year it has boosted my confidence in my decision making, and also given me greater knowledge on what could help benefit the experience that Ayrshire College students have whilst studying here.
“I hope all new and returning students are excited for the year ahead and please feel free to pop in to see us in the Student Association office, if it’s to ask us a question, propose an idea or even just for a chat, our doors always open.”
Lauren said “I hope to continue with the excellent work that the previous Student Association team have set out. I believe that I am a very open-minded person, which I believe is one of the most important qualities to have in my new role as Student Vice President, as everyone is entitled to an opinion. I also think that I am a warm and trustworthy person – every person that steps through our doors will be accepted and welcomed with open arms.
“We are so excited to welcome everyone to the College this year. My message to new and returning students is: be positive through all aspects of your journey here at Ayrshire College and know that our door is always open. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for you all!”
Jack studied for two years at the Ayr Campus and enjoyed his time as the Student Vice President last year.
Lauren was a student at the Kilwinning Campus before starting with the Student Association team, and she earned students’ votes by running under a campaign promising to create “the best possible atmosphere for everyone attending Ayrshire College”.
First up on the agenda for the Student Association team is to organise Freshers’ Week. There are also big plans to build on the College and Student Association team’s excellent mental health initiatives through the College’s Promoting Wellbeing Group.
Jack said “This year we are focusing on planning more events that students can enjoy. Over the summer we have been working with Murray Baxter, a lecturer from the Music department, on setting up Ayrshire College’s first Freshers Party, with the idea to carry on more events in partnership with the music department in the future.
“We’re going to prioritise carrying on the work with our mental health campaigns. I also am looking forward to working with NUS in the Scottish Executive Committee and I'm keen to bring any ideas from there to benefit the students of Ayrshire College.”
Lauren said “One of our main goals this year is to work closely with different mental health organisations in order to ensure every student (and staff member) has a safe place to study or work.
“It is my intention to work closely with students when they return to find out what kind of events and initiatives they wish to see throughout the year, as they are the ones who will be benefiting.”
Charlotte Mitchell, Student Association Advisor at Ayrshire College, will be assisting the team throughout the academic year. She said about the duo “With the appointment of Lauren as Student Vice President and the return of Jack as this year’s Student President, it’s already shaping up to be an exciting year ahead for the Ayrshire College Student Association.
“Both Jack and Lauren have come into post with enthusiasm and lots of great ideas on how to enhance the student experience and make learning here at Ayrshire College as enjoyable as it can be.
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning students to our College community through a series of Freshers’ events and are excited to roll out our new model of student feedback called ‘Your Voice Matters’, through which all students will have the opportunity to contribute to the process of quality enhancement, ensuring Ayrshire College continues to deliver an excellent learning experience for everyone.”
15 August 2019
Share this post
