Michael Sammels is a third year computing science and mathematics student. He took came to Stirling from college and began his Bachelor’s degree in 2018. He seeks to improve the university experience for alternative pathways students. So, students who took the Access course, part-time students and mature students.
He has spent a lot of time helping students with other issues and is currently studying part-time. Which is why he put himself forward for the position.
“Do you think as a mature student, you can relate to younger students struggling to adapt to university life?”
Michael joined the university in 2017 as an access student from college and understands students struggling to adapt to their new life.
“I do notice a lot of people struggle with help at university, you know, where to go when you’re struggling financially…”
Michael plans to make support services more well-known for students, so they know where to go when they are in need. He also enjoys helping people resolve these issues.
“How will you work with the VP of Education to push for better representation of alternate pathways?”
“When I joined the Access Course, it wasn’t very well-known. And I don’t think it still is. And I believe students who come to the university from swap courses, Fourth Valley College I think they need to have their own voice as well.”
He thinks there is not a standing for students who are new to the university, unlike for students who have been here longer.
“And I’m going to see if I can try and make almost like a society for alternative students. Like a hub where we can all talk together. Get support from mature students and staff. And bring us all together to sort of integrate into university life. And beyond.”
The empowering of alternative pathways students and building a more supportive community for them is one of the most important points in Michael’s manifesto.
“How do you imagine the “peer support network” you mentioned in your manifesto?”
Michael’s manifesto mentions a peer support network, which is what the society mentioned earlier would consist of.
Having the peer support network would be more official and could use it to have forums with staff who need it as well. According to Michael.
“What do you think the union needs to focus on most to represent alternative pathways?”
“As much as I have come from access, I still don’t know how it’s represented. Which is quite terrifying actually.”
Despite being a gateway into studying at the university, many people are not aware of the Access Course.
One of his proposals was to have events at Fourth Valley college to help students transition into Stirling. In a way that is similar to the Access Course.
With the Access Course, students got a Welcome Evening, a brief seminar and a tour.
“It would be valuable to perhaps run UCAS and Student Finance workshops.” This was to aid students when they start out at university, and onwards in their studies.
Further Information
You can read Michael Sammel’s manifesto here.
And you can follow updates on the Student Union Elections 2025 here.
Voting begins on Tuesday February 25th. Results come out on Thursday February 27th.
Featured Image Credit: Stirling Student Union website
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
