14 Fraser of Allander Institute
Ilisa Stack graduated from City of Glasgow College in November 2018 with a First Class BA
(Honours) in photography.
Her story, from leaving school at 15 to returning to education as a mother of three, is humbling.
She started doing evening photography classes at the College and, after 18 months, progressed
to studying and achieving an HND in photography.
Her degree projects have received national and international recognition and, thanks to her
photographs of Glasgow youths, showing them as noble characters, she became a winner of the
2018 Portrait of Britain competition. Ilisa's work was selected from 13,000 entries to make the
final 100 images for publication and display on billboards across the country.
"My journey at City of Glasgow College started with evening photography classes. I went on to
complete my HND and then gained a First Class BA Honours degree in photography. It has totally
transformed my life. From leaving school at 15, to getting to where I am now, having my work
exhibited in the Aff Gallery in Berlin, is amazing. Studying at the college helped me to achieve
my dreams as a photographer and artist."
Ilisa's projects typically explore themes of youth culture, community and social issues. While at
College she won the Art Foundation Medallion of Excellence for outstanding achievement. She
received the Colleges Scotland Inspirational Student Award and was shortlisted in the Scottish
Portrait Awards.
"I'm eternally grateful to City of Glasgow College for helping me develop my photography skills. I
have grown so much as a person, built up my confidence and I now try to give something back to
students by sharing what I have learnt through my experiences and passing on advice whenever
I can."
Case Study 1
Ilisa Stack
The Individual
Equality, Diversity &
Inclusiveness
Excellence &
Achievement
9.98% of enrolments were Black
and Minority Ethnic students, up
from 9.6% in 2016/17.
Disabled students accounted
for 10.3% of all enrolments in
2017/18 (9.6% in 2016/17).
34% of enrolments came from
students in the 20% most
deprived postcodes in Scotland,
approx. 2,436 students.