Our 'Talking Student Partnership' interview series continues with another video conversation from Scotland’s tertiary education sector!
The next interview in our series features Micole Cochrane, Students' Association Development Officer at West Lothian College. In our interview, Micole reflects on her nearly twenty-year career at the college, covering topics such as:
- Navigating a constantly changing and evolving sector
- Embedding student partnership as part of the learning experience
- West Lothian's unique structures for full-time officers and the SPARKLE Survey
- And much, much more!
View the video interview below (filmed with Micole in June 2026 and published in July 2026).
Here are some of our top takeaways from our conversation with Micole:
- Look for opportunities to embed student partnership. Students have less time than ever before. How can partnership and enhancement activity be embedded within spaces where students already spend their time?
- Create a TQEF Steering Group. Encourage open dialogue between students and staff about how they will engage in reviews and other mechanisms.
- Consider when works best for students. When designing surveys or rep system activities, look for timings that suit the student calendar first!
- Remember: everyone is learning! Student partnership is a learning experience for both staff and students. Stay curious and learn together!
- Immerse yourself in the small moments. The relationships and impact on others’ lives are the most meaningful memories in our work. Cherish them!
We’ll be bringing you more insightful conversations with our interviewees once per quarter. To follow the full series, be sure to follow sparqs on our social media:
- Twitter/X: @sparqs_scotland
- Bluesky: @sparqs-scotland.bsky.social
- LinkedIn: sparqsscotland
- Instagram: sparqs_scotland
If you wish to recommend yourself or a colleague for a future “Talking Student Partnership” interview, please contact Chase Greenfield, Development Consultant at: chase.greenfield@sparqs.ac.uk.