College Search For Past Students Takes Centre Stage At Stakeholder Event

Patrons of the Chamber, MidKent College welcomed stakeholders to a special evening of entertainment on Thursday June 19 with a special appeal to former students.

For the first time the College has launched an alumni network to help past students connect with current students to share their experience.

Chris Hare, MidKent College Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Whether they studied with us last year or 30 years ago, we want to hear from them. We hope to connect them to share their stories, offer help and guidance to current students and stay connected to the college that helped their own careers.

“It is not only to stay in touch, but also to give them the opportunity and support to inspire current students and shape the future of the College. That can be speaking at an event, offering work experience, mentoring a student, or simply sharing their story. We believe this experience and insight could make a real difference to current students.”

One highlight of the stakeholder dinner was a Q&A which featured a panel of four former students who shared their personal journeys – reflecting on how their time at MidKent College helped shape their paths and led them to where they are today.

On stage were Dr Dale Harrison, Chris Newberry, Katriona Shovlin and Megan Hedley. Also taking part were to T Level students who talked about their two-year construction course and what they have achieved since leaving last year.

The Q&A was hosted by Steven Keevil who graduated from MidKent College in 2000, hosted three successful General Election hustings in 2024 and was voted Kent’s best columnist at the Kent Press Broadcast Awards. He is Chief Conversationalist at Authority Media, publishers of the Medway hyperlocal news website localauthority.news, 2023 winner of Kent News Website of the Year, and this year they launched the Kent Regional news website Kent Current.

This was the third networking event for stakeholders held at the Gillingham campus, where art students exhibit their end of year projects as guests enjoy refreshments before moving to the Theatre for dinner, with entertainment by students of drama and music.

To find out more: www.midkent.ac.uk/alumni