The FE sector has a new student champion, with Emily Chapman winning today’s election to become the National Union of Students’ new vice-president for FE.
The Leeds City College student union president beat challenger Myriam Kane, who had served as union president at Lewisham Southwark College, at this year’s annual conference in Brighton.
It comes after the outgoing VP for FE, Shakira Martin, clinched a stunning victory to become the new NUS president.
Ms Chapman said: “I am thrilled that students have put their faith in me and elected me to be the next VP for FE.
“Over my term I am looking forward to representing students across the UK, starting to heal some of the damage done to the sector over the last few years.”
Ms Chapman’s manifesto called on students to “work in partnership” with the aim of “sharing best practice and building power for students’ unions” to “make education better”.
She said she wanted “to ensure NUS is somewhere for all FE learners, a place where they can feel both comfortable and supported”.
She promised to “lobby the UK government to ring fence ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages] funding”, “support the development and profile of the National Society of Apprentices across the UK”, and “create a students’ union visit plan” targeting “colleges that need the most development”.
I LOVE @emily_chapman6 – what an amazing candidate for VPFE ✊🏻 #NUSConference
— Vonnie Sandlan (@VonnSand) April 26, 2017
“Make sure the majority of this organisation is no longe the minority” YES @Emy_Chapman_6! #Emily4FE #NUSConference #nusnc17
— Rob Henthorn (@RobHnthn) April 26, 2017
FE IS IN MY HEART MIND AND SOUL @Emy_Chapman_6 #NUSNC17 #NUSConference #Emily4FE
— Mimi Harmer 🎻 (@mirandaharmer) April 26, 2017
“We will be ignored NO MORE!” – @Emy_Chapman_6 will be the champion for our movement’s most vital members. #NUSConference #nusnc17
— Rob Henthorn (@RobHnthn) April 26, 2017
FE Week wishes her good luck in her new role.
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