Our Team
The Open College is an independent private college with many thousands of students providing over 90 QQI Levels 5 & 6 Award courses. Established in 2004 and QQI (formerly FETAC) Accredited in 2008.
The Open College has a proud record of innovation in education which has in just over few years become Ireland’s largest provider of QQI approved online distance learning courses and this recognition is based on the quality of our course materials, the professionalism of our tutors and the exceptional value for money we offer.
Our professionally qualified and industry experienced course tutors and writers are fully aware of learner needs and have designed and written courses that are flexible and up to date with current situations/legislation and learning styles as well as meeting the QQI requirements regarding course content/learning outcomes.
Richard Whelan – President of The Open CollegeRichard Whelan FCA is a Chartered Accountant and was a partner in KPMG for 23 years, focusing primarily on audit and advisory work. An active member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, he is the author of a book on the ideology underlying Al Qaeda and has published numerous articles on international politics. He serves on the International Advisory Committee of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation. He is a director or adviser to a number of companies, public and private, and was the independent Chairman of the Irish Course Providers Association.
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Siobhan Lynch – Healthcare TutorSiobhan is a Healthcare Trainer with over 12 years’ experience delivering the QQI Healthcare Award Modules at The Open College and in the north east through various learning formats, such as Distance, Blended Learning and Classroom Teaching. Siobhan is a Registered General Nurse, who has 17 years clinical experience. Siobhan’s nursing experiences spans across a number of specialties such as Operating Department Nursing, Rehabilitation Nursing, Medical, Surgical and Aged Care, caring for a diverse range of clients and age groups. Siobhan obtained her RGN nursing qualification with Craigavon Area Hospital, Armagh. She also has studied with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland where she obtained a Higher Diploma in Operating Nursing and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Practice Development. Siobhan is a committed tutor who strongly believes in the importance of guiding and supporting learners to achieve their educational and personal goals as they return to education.
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Henry Sheahan – Business TutorHenry has a wealth of adult learning tutoring experience in the areas of Business Management, Business Administration, Work Experience, Personal Effectiveness in the Workplace, Career Planning, Health & Safety, Purchasing & Procurement and Customer Service. Henry has been training in the above areas for the past twenty-one years and some of his most impressive qualifications include a Level 9 in Education & Training, a Certificate in Training and Development (Level 7), a Level 7 from NQAI in Health and Safety and a certificate in Personal Development and Leadership skills. Henry also holds a BBS in Procurement and Supply Chain and is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering. Henry is passionate about his subject matter and is dedicated to providing his students with as much help and guidance as possible and uses a wide range of training techniques to enhance the adult learning journey.
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Mary McGlynn – Student Mental Health CoordinatorMary has been with the Open College for over ten years now, having started out as a Careers & Development Manager and Tutor, Mary has extensive experience providing Careers Advice, Coaching, Guidance and Further Education Tutoring. Her previous experience includes working for Donegal ETB (Education and Training Board) and working for the government initiative ‘Momentum’ where she tutored and managed classes for the long-term unemployed returning to work. Mary has since developed her skills and qualifications to becoming a Psychotherapist where she lectures in mental health & wellbeing and provides private one to one sessions with students if needed. Her true passion, knowledge and purpose in the area of mental health and therapy is reflected back by the positive feedback from students and she has helped many overcome various issues and struggles in their college/personal lives. Mary also runs her own therapy business which further enriches her experience and knowledge for the college. Mary also helped launch the Open College Podcasts where she talks about various mental health and careers subjects and also developed the ‘Careers Hub’ the online Careers Advice section on the website. Mary’s qualifications include: Human Givens Psychotherapy Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma in Career Guidance, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and the Irish Language, Train the Trainer Cert, Mindfullness Programme and many CPD Mental Health and Wellbeing Certificates.
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Lorraine Walsh – Business & Management TutorLorraine is a Business Trainer who has been delivering training since 2011. She has delivered courses all over the country. As part of her range of courses, she delivers, Train the Trainer, Business Planning, Supervisory Management, Conflict Management, Project Management, Event Management and Managing People and Creating ICT Resources. Lorraine holds an Honours Bachelor degree in Business Studies, specialising in Human Resource Management, a Diploma in Accountancy and a Certificate in Business studies, a Honours Higher Diploma in Education. Lorraine teaches learners to develop a love for their subject matter. Constant good feedback on her delivery states she is a very approachable, helpful tutor who uses a wide variety of techniques to enhance learner interest and retention of knowledge.
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Gerry Clancy – Train the Trainer TutorGerry has over 25 years of experience, in a business background having worked in many sectors (IT, Finance, Training, Government and FMCG). Gerry has managed, developed and delivered Consultancy in many areas (Training, Business, Software Solutions and IT Hardware) and is very motivated and dependable, mature and business aware. His key strength is that he is people person which is the most important resource in the success of any training, team or project delivery, and together with his 25 years of Training and Project Management experience and these attributes have been the reasons for such a successful lecturing career to date. Training and Lecturing with: Specifically Gerry has been involved in Training Design and Delivery for New Approach Training, The Open College, Pulse College, Windmill Lane College, Griffith College, Ormond College, Imagination Gym, Big Wave Media and Castleknock Community College. Lecturing in:
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Neal Murphy BSc – Sports & Fitness TutorThe Open College Sports Courses Co – Ordinator and Tutor Neal Murphy qualified with a BSc in Sports Science from De Montfort University in England and has also achieved an MBS Masters Degree Qualification from Dublin City University. He has 20 years experience working in the Sports and Leisure Industry both in Ireland and the UK. Neal has also represented the Irish Squash team at World Championship level in Hong Kong and Pakistan. This combination of industry experience and International level sports performance gives Neal great insight into how our students should to be tutored. Neal has worked with The Open College developing new courses and maintaining our QQI standards in this area for the last few years. ‘The Open College strives to be the leading Online Sports Course provider by combining the highest quality course content with the most qualified Tutors. Our Sports tutors have achieved Masters Degree level and are working towards Doctorate Level qualifications. This level of tutor expertise is the highest in Ireland . Our tutors are very highly regarded in the Sports Industry having varied experience from coaching Inter County level GAA teams and working in high performance Sports units nationally.’ – Neal Murphy Sports Courses Co – Ordinator.
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Ciarán McCarthy – Law TutorCiarán is a practicing barrister who holds degrees from University College Cork and the Honorable Society of Kings Inns. In this capacity, Ciarán appears in courts and tribunals and has additionally lectured in a number of institutions and published academic papers on various legal issues, so he has lots of invaluable experience both in the field and in education. Ciaran is extremely passionate about his Law subjects and his key strength is his ability to provide quality feedback to our students while thoroughly reviewing their work. With his industry experience and belief in lifelong learning, Ciaran has some great insight on how students should be tutored to be as prepared as possible in the area of Law. |
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Mairead McHale – Special Needs Education TutorMairéad McHale delivers the Special Needs Assisting (QQI level 5) module. As well as heading up her special education training company, Mairéad is a special education and social studies tutor with Kildare & Wicklow Education Training Board and an associate lecturer with The Department of Adult & Community Education at Maynooth University. With over 12 years of special education experience working with children on the autism spectrum and with other conditions, Mairéad brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the courses she teaches. Qualifications Include:
Along with the above formal qualifications, Mairéad holds many certificates and CPD qualifications in the area of special education. She is also a registered teacher with The Teaching Council (Registration # 188459).
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Siobhan Mannion – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorSiobhan has been involved in the Early years Education sector for over 15 years. She has worked in various Early years education settings, including primary schools, pre-schools and Montessori schools. She has been involved in the management of Early years settings and began working in the Adult Education sector over 7 years ago. Siobhan has a passion for Education and for quality Early Years education and therefore has high expectations for her learners. She has vast experience delivering Early Years modules both classroom and online and loves being a tutor. Qualifications Include:
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Daryl Mahon – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerDaryl has worked across the health and social care sector for over a decade in areas such as youth, homelessness, addiction rehabilitation and psychotherapy. Having been a frontline practitioner and manager in services, he has a variety of experiences and research interests. Daryl is passionate about evidence-based practice and practice based-evidence. Especially the intersect between the gap that occurs between evidence and practice, and how we can involve clients/service users in their care and service Daryl has also been published in several peer reviewed academic journals in diverse areas related to psychotherapy outcomes, addiction and leadership. He lectures in several areas including counselling and forensic psychology with the Open University, in addition to training established practitioners in Servant Leadership and Feedback Informed Treatment which he has published in. Daryl is currently completing a Doctor of Social Science in Maynooth University.
Qualifications include:
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Dr. Des Earls BSc, MSc, DEd – Nutrition & Sports Nutrition TutorDes received his BSc. in Sport Science and Health from Dublin City University. He subsequently went on to complete a MSc. in Strength and Conditioning at St. Mary’s University College, London and completed a doctorate in Higher and Adult Education through Maynooth University in 2023. Des has been working in the Sports and Fitness Industry since 2009 and has worked with athletes competing at national and international level, including 2012 Olympians, as well as various inter-county GAA teams. Des is currently a Lecturer in a Technology University where he lectures on Strength and Conditioning, Sport Science and Athletic Therapy programmes. He has also worked in some of Ireland’s top fitness facilities as well as previously working in one of Melbourne’s top gyms, 5th Element Wellness. Since 2012, Des has been an integral part of the Nutrition and Sports & Fitness tutoring team at The Open College. He has completed additional training in Blended Learning technologies and Research Supervision. Des is currently a Level 1 accredited anthropometrist with ISAK. ‘Having completed my own MSc. programme though online learning I can see the value learners get from The Open College’s Online Sports Courses. The ability to study and complete a course in your own time whilst also working allows learners to apply new knowledge on a daily basis.’ Dr Des Earls – Sports Nutrition Tutor.
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Joe McDonald – Health & Social Care Lecturer | Business & Management TutorJoe is a more recent but impactful addition to The Open College’s esteemed team of academics. With over three decades of experience, Joe has navigated through various sectors and industries, holding senior management and Director positions. His professional journey is further enriched by his status as a qualified professional coach, assisting individuals in both business and sport to achieve their goals. For more than a decade, Joe has impressively served as a module author and dedicated lecturer. His commitment to lifelong learning resonates deeply, as he strives to cultivate a dynamic learning atmosphere that empowers students to develop and grow. Training & Qualifications:
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Siobhán Browne – Early Learning & Care Degree LecturerSiobhán has over 13 years experience in the Early Years sector with a decade at management level. She currently manages a full day care facility in the South East and is passionate about educating the youngest members of society. Siobhán has experience with lecturing and module development at degree level on Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes. She currently tutors several QQI modules with The Open College, including Child Development, Early Childhood Curriculum, Work Experience modules and several Montessori based modules. She is an advocate for the sector and has high expectations for Early Years Educators.
Siobhan’s Qualifications include:
She also has a significant number of certificates in various training areas relating to the Early Years sector including:
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Dr. Patricia Doyle – Health & Social Care Degree LecturerDr. Doyle is Lead Lecturer in our Health and Social Care Degree programme. A sociologist, she has extensive teaching and research experience. Dr Doyle is currently employed as a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth University and guest lecturer in Trinity College Dublin. Over the course of her 20-year career, she has demonstrated a keen interest in health and social care issues having designed and delivered the Human Development module in Dublin City University for a period of 5 years. She has also designed and facilitated numerous sociological based courses across universities. A former chairperson of Recovery Academy of Ireland, her research interests include Addiction Recovery and Dual Diagnosis (mental health) and much of her community work is conducted in addiction rehabilitation services as well as in programmes designed to reduce recidivism rates of adult male/female offenders. Coming from a mature student background herself, she has an avid interest in meeting the educational needs of students in general and of mature/second chance students in particular.
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Celina Kinsella – Practice Placement CoordinatorCelina brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our students having worked within the social care sector since 2007, mainly within the areas of adult Intellectual disabilities, Supporting Children and Families within the Irish foster care system and Adult Mental Health. Within the last 7 years Celina has been involved in service management including internal auditing and practice placement supervision of students throughout this time. Recently Celina has been a placement educator representative on a CORU panel for another University who have successfully gained CORU accreditation for their third level social care courses and also sat on expert panels for universities approval of new third level courses within the sector.
Celina’s Qualifications include:
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Dr. Michael Brennan – Healthcare TutorDr. Michael Brennan, PhD, MA, M Ed, RPN, RNT, H Dip in Addiction Studies, Dip Social Studies has worked in healthcare since 1992 having registered as a mental health nurse with NMBI, he started in a healthcare educational role in 2003 on achieving a Master of Science in Education. He completed a Doctorate in Philosophy in 2012, from Trinity College Dublin. In Michael’s career to date, he has published and presented at several conferences both nationally and internationally. He was Programme Coordinator for a Masters/Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia & Mental Health, in Trinity College since in 2003. Since 2017, Michael has worked as a tutor on various courses at different levels of education. This role involves coordination, teaching, assessment, supporting learners, both academically and pastorally, administration, evaluation, and ongoing programme development. Michael’s philosophy on education is that it must have real meaning for students. He believes that learning should be about personal development and growth and not just about the acquisition of knowledge. Through his teaching, he facilitates students to develop the skills, and the confidence to use their learning to impact their practice. This type of learning is a skill for life and not just for the purpose of gaining a qualification to practice.
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Joe Plowman – Psychology TutorFor nearly 20 years, Joseph has experience studying, working, and researching in both psychology and hypnotherapy. In psychology and healthcare, he has been involved in helping to run and deliver anxiety and depression psycho-education workshops in the UK, with patients referred by GPs, and has also helped to run and deliver life coaching workshops as part of a health psychology initiative in Bristol. In Ireland, Joe has lectured in Human Growth and Development and has lectured and authored other nationally validated psychology courses, including psychology, applied psychology, and child psychology. He has also taught psychology and psycho-education classes at Secondary School level to transition year students. These classes (from 2008) were among the first in Ireland to involve lessons in happiness and sought to enhance student well-being. They were based on Rational Emotive Education, a CBT-based resilience program. He has also worked briefly in early intervention (using applied behaviour analysis) with autistic children. He is a Founding Member of the Centre for Applied Positive Psychology in the UK and a member of the European Network for Positive Psychology. Presently, Joseph’s interests continue to involve education and well-being, as well as applied psychology, coaching, and cognitive-behavioural hypnotherapy. Qualifications include:
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Marie Harmon – Communications & Customer Service TutorMarie is a fully qualified further education tutor and secondary school teacher in Business, Economics and Accounting. As an experienced customer service assessor for a variety of further education companies in Ireland and a knowledgeable Market Researcher in both the public and private sector, Marie is very knowledgeable in her field of Business and Customer Service. Marie holds a Bachelor of Business (honours) Degree in Business Management and a Master of Business Degree from the Institute of Technology, Tralee. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management from Dublin City University. Marie is passionate about seeing her students progress and do well in their chosen subject. She considers herself to be approachable and eager to help and support lifelong learners to reach their full potential.
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Damien Kelly – Business TutorDamien has worked with The Open College for over 4 years where he provides student support in addition to lecturing activities across a number of the Business programmes, namely E-Business, Marketing Practice, Digital Marketing and Personal and Professional Development. Damien is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Chartered Tax Consultant (CTA) currently working in the Utilities industry in a Senior Leadership role. Damien ranked first place in Ireland in the final examinations of the Chartered Taxation exams. Damien qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Consultant in 2007 when working in Practice with Ernst & Young, where he gained a considerable experience in all areas of Business. Also, for the past 15 years, Damien has been lecturing for a number of Institutions and Colleges throughout the country in the areas of Financial Management, Accountancy, Business Management, Customer Services, Personal Effectiveness, Risk, Marketing and Taxation. Damien has been widely recognised as a knowledgeable, interactive and interesting lecturer.
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Fiona Skelly – Exercise & Fitness TutorFiona has been working in the fitness industry since 2010. Outside her lecturing work with The Open College. she works as a fitness instructor in the DCU sports complex. She is a current PhD student carrying out research on the benefits of community based exercise for individuals with chronic illness. In addition, Fiona is a strength and conditioning coach for numerous GAA teams in Dublin. Fiona’s Qualifications include:
Fiona Says: “My passion is the use of exercise to optimise health and well-being and improve quality of life. I believe that a physically active lifestyle can have benefits for all, regardless of fitness levels or abilities.”
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Tara Fitzgibbon – Exercise & Fitness TutorSince obtaining a BSc in Sports Science & Health in 2020 Tara has been working as a personal trainer and sports programme officer with the Irish Wheelchair Association. Tara has worked with women and men’s teams in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie and wheelchair basketball. In her role with Irish Wheelchair Association, Tara also trains children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities and has a great interest in promoting inclusion and adapted exercise.
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Kelley Anne Faye – Sports Psychology TutorKelley is an applied performance psychologist with 10+ years experience of working in high performance sport. She has attended many competitions and training camps with athletes and teams helping them prepare for competitive performance including the Winter Paralympics in South Korea with team GB and numerous World & European Championships (with GB & Irish athletes). It is this practical experience in high level sport which enables Kelley to demonstrate to students how sport psychology theory applies in everyday settings to improve performance. Kelley studied Sport & Exercise Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire where she gained both her BSc & MSc. Following completion of her Masters she took up an associate lecturer post at UCLAN before returning home to Ireland to work for the Sports Institute Northern Ireland. Kelley now runs her own company KF Performance and supports many GB & Irish athletes in their quest to succeed. Kelley also delivers workshops in Mental Health, Resilience and Leadership as well as many other topics in both the Education & Corporate sectors. She is currently lead Performance psychologist for a number of international & professional sports.
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Marianne Byrne – Human Resources TutorMarianne is a Human Resources & Training Consultant. She has been working with The Open College since 2013, mainly as a Tutor in Human Resources (QQI level 6). She also delivers ‘Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse and Aggressive Behaviour Management’ training to our internal and external Healthcare students. Prior to this Marianne has a wealth of health service experience with over 30 years before taking early retirement. A highly competent professional with a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree and a member of Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (MCIPD). She studied in TU4Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Her other specialities are in operating an Employment Law Advisory Service and she participates in panel interviews, Career planning, Enneagram training, Induction, Grievance & Disciplinary, Dignity at Work and Stress management, are amongst her other training programmes. Whilst working for the health services she developed a passion for delivering training and now delivers programmes that are easy to understand with lots of variety and at a pace that takes everyone’s learning style into consideration.
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Louise Mooney – Special Education TutorLouise is an adult educator in the further education sector for many years. With extensive experience of facilitating both QQI Level 5 and 6 Special Needs Assisting courses she brings a wealth of both professional and personal knowledge of special educational needs to her course delivery. Louise has a specific interest in Autism Spectrum Condition, inclusion and positive behaviour support, Louise has attended many workshops that focus on managing anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Louise’s qualifications include:
Louise is a registered teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
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Mary Moriarty – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorMary has worked with Children over the last 7 years in both a full day care setting and a Montessori/pre-school settings and has a long standing and passionate interest in Diversity and Inclusion. Mary has years of experience in teaching all the Early Years modules including Child development, Child- Health and well-being, Early childhood Education and Play, Early childhood curriculum, Challenging Behaviour, Children with Additional needs, and SNA both Level 5 and Level 6 courses. Mary is a very motivated person and promotes many values in the students she teaches and with vast knowledge in online learning, she also brings a lot of hands-on expertise to the learners providing them with real life experiences of working in the sector. Her main goal is to provide a stimulating and enjoyable learning environment that promotes engagement and participation while also meeting the needs of individual students. Mary’s qualifications include:
Other Certificates Include:
Mary is a registered teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
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Lisa Ryan – Early Childhood Care & Education TutorLisa has worked as an Early Year’s Montessori preschool manager for 10 years. Lisa holds an Honours Degree in Early Years Education & Care Studies from WIT, a Degree in Montessori Education from St. Nicholas Montessori College of Ireland and, the LINC special purpose Level 6 course to become an Inclusion Co-Ordinator. Lisa also holds a level 6 in Training and Delivery along with various other certificates and is registered as a further education tutor with the Teaching Council of Ireland (reg. number 185516). Lisa has been a tutor of further education for 3 years including Special Needs Assisting modules along with Level 2 modules in the Adult Learning Scheme both in classroom and online. Lisa is passionate about delivering a high-quality standard of Education and Care in the Early Years with a specific interest in the Montessori Method of Education. Lisa endeavours to pass on her years of practical experience as a Manager and Early Years Educator to her students through her various modules with The Open College.
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Noel Brosnan – Training & Development TutorNoel has a strong reputation for facilitating practical and relevant training programmes which result in significant behavioural change, growth and development for managers / leaders, employees, teams and organisations. He is proud of his interactive facilitation style, which helps maximise learning, skill development and behavioural change. Noel is always conscious of creating a safe learning environment for learners, built on trust and openness. His intention is to keep theory and practice simple and build awareness and learning one-step at a time. Noel’s coaching and training methodologies are based on ‘brain friendly’ theories, which incorporate some of the latest developments in neuroscience and positive psychology. Noel has delivered the QQI Level 6 Train the Trainer since 2008 and the QQI Special Purpose Award in Training and Development since 2012. Noel has also designed and delivered training programmes in the health, pharmaceutical, financial and education sectors on leadership, change management, delegation, team development, communication, performance reviews, conflict resolution, employee induction and engagement, well being and resilience. He is privileged to have served a wide variety of organisations and companies including: The Department of Education and Skills, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Hibernia College, The Open College, GE Healthcare, Glanbia, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Poppulo, Crest Solutions and Stryker. Noel’s Qualifications include:
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Sarah Watkins – Journalism TutorSarah Beth Watkins has been a freelance writer for over 20 years writing for magazines and websites such as Your New Baby, Changing Ireland, ivenus.com, Banulacht’s Gender and Development Bulletin, Take a Break, Scouting, Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly and many more. She has written over 300 articles for the web on a variety of subjects. Her most recent work includes writing articles for Wikio Experts, Vista magazine, Overblog and New Consciousness Review and is co-editor of Writers Wheel magazine. Sarah has also tutored Creative writing and Journalism courses for various Colleges and Community centres. She is the author of Telling Life’s Tales, The Writer’s Internet, The Lifestyle Writer and Life Coaching for Writers available through Compass Books. Her history books include Lady Katherine Knollys, The Tudor Brandons, Anne of Cleves and Ireland’s Suffragettes.
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Michelle Curley – Head of Programme Development & ValidationsMichelle joined The Open College team in 2008 and since then has been at the heart of the college’s success. During this time Michelle has continued to develop both personally and professionally, which has contributed to her continued success and overall progression into various roles within the organization. Michelle initially joined the team as a general administrative assistant, eventually progressing into roles such as Certification Manger, Quality Assurance coordinator and is now the overall Academics Operations Manager for the College. Michelle’s experience in these roles has provided her with a wealth of knowledge surrounding the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in an online context within the FET sector. To date Michelle has led the college to success in many different projects that she has been involved with – from successfully leading the project of initial FETAC provider approval back in 2008, which saw the initial development of quality assurance structures, policies and procedures – to currently leading the project for QQI provider reengagement. Michelle’s passion for education, lifelong learning and continued professional development is evident in her own educational record – most recently completing a BA Hons Degree in Social Science achieving 1st Class honors’. Michelle also plans to continue in her studies and has a particular interest in undertaking a Masters’ Degree specifically related to Education. Her previous qualifications include: 1. Certificate in Business Administration Michelle continues to strive for the success and development of the college, staff, and its students and is committed to providing inspired leadership to the college for years to come.
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Elena Pandelska – Operations ManagerElena joined The Open College team back in 2013 and has since been an integral part of the college’s operations. Starting as an Assignments and Results Coordinator, Elena moved on to the Certification Department making sure it reached its highest standards. Due to her dedication and drive, Elena has successfully moved on to her current role as Operations Manager for the College. Elena has also contributed to the development of quality assurance, policies and procedures for the college and continues to maintain these to ensure a high standard is always maintained. Elena is an enthusiastic supporter of online education and will soon be receiving a Professional Diploma in Management and Leadership from the UCD Professional Academy.
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Adrian Reen – Education TechnologistWith five years’ experience working in the education sector, a master’s in education and a BSc. In Media Technology, Adrian joined the team in 2018 as our Education Technologist. Adrian’s role involves the support and development of pedagogical progammes including video content and interactive courses and manages the production of learning content projects from start to finish. With excellent analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, as well as a range of technological proficiencies, Adrian is very interested in how technology can enhance the adult learner and has the ability to identify and develop expertise in content and uses various tools to develop resources which meet the diverse needs of our students using pedagogic principles. Adrian has proven to be a valuable addition to the team due to his hard work and dedication to his role and actively keeps up to date with developments in educational technologies. Adrian’s Qualifications include:
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Oxana Murray – Marketing & EngagementOxana started with The Open College in 2017. Her career thus far reflects a strong commitment to education and growth. Oxana has moved through different roles within the college with a focus and a passion for elearning and building a sense of community. Due to her previous experience in the early years sector, Oxana took on the role of an Early Years and Montessori Tutor, teaching QQI accredited modules. This experience helped Oxana grow her training skills, address diverse student needs and create a positive learning environment for all learners. Looking for a new challenge, Oxana completed a postgraduate qualification in Digital Marketing and subsequently switched to a role in Marketing & Engagement within the college. In this role, she promotes eLearning and actively works to cultivate a community of staff, academics and learners. Through her efforts, she fosters meaningful engagement that plays a pivotal role in enhancing learner success. Training & Qualifications:
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Eoghan Fitzmaurice – Results CoordinatorEoghan has worked in the Customer Service sector for over 12 years and uses this knowledge to deliver a first-rate student experience for the Open College. He also holds a QQI Major Award in Office Administration and Accounting so is therefore well versed to office work and its environment. Eoghan specialises in delivering online support to learners in a professional and organised manner. Eoghan has picked up some excellent communication and interpersonal skills throughout his career in the customer service industry, particularly in the adult learning field. This has enabled him to help hundreds of our learners along the way to achieving their various qualifications. Many of our students speak very highly of Eoghan and their comments always include his supportive and helpful approach to their queries. Eoghan strives to help students in any way he can to achieve their educational goals and will continue to do so for years to come.
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Sophie Kennedy – Academic Liaison OfficerSophie joined the team in 2014 and has been a valuable asset to the college ever since. During this time, she has worked in many different roles starting off as an Admissions & Results Coordinator, and then progressing to Certification Manager and Exam Coordinator. Her current role involves the roll out of support tools for our students such as Moodle, Turnitin and Microsoft teams. Sophie has the ability to handle large amounts of work with excellent attention to detail while also supporting the office team ensuring the smooth running of day to day activities. Sophie has a particular interest in the lifelong learner and helping them succeed towards a better future which is evident in the way she communicates and assists our learners with any queries or concerns they may have. She also takes great pride in providing an excellent and proficient service to the adult learner in any way she can. Sophie’s Qualifications include:
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Louise O’Gorman – Assistant Operations ExecutiveLouise’s journey with The Open College is quite special as she has a unique connection with our institution. She is a proud alumna of a few of our QQI accredited courses and most recently a graduate of our Honours BA in Health & Social Care. Louise brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from various different industries is well versed in The Open College community. Being a lifelong learner, Louis’s academic achievements don’t end here, currently she is working towards a Level 8 Certificate in Leadership Skills and Change Management. Louise embodies the same commitment we have as an organisation to continuous education and her passion for learning is contagious. In her role as Assistant Operations Executive, Louise is set to contribute her unique blend of academic excellence, professional experience and commitment to lifelong learning.
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Brenda Maguire – Certification ManagerBrenda started working with the college in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength during her time here. Coming from a background in Customer Service, Human Resources and Team Management, she has worked and progressed to many different roles within our team including, Customer Service, Exam Coordinator, Results Coordinator and much more. Through completing a Diploma in Counselling, Brenda has learned some excellent communication and interpersonal skills and takes the time to really listen and empathise with our students. Her ability to be patient and understanding enables her to deal with any issues professionally and competently and she takes great pride in ensuring every student receives the best learning experience possible through her excellent ability to communicate in a supportive manner. Brenda’s passion for the Further Education and Training sector is evident in her excellent work ethic and works hard to maintain this high standard in every aspect of her job. Qualifications & Training include:
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Laura Brennan – Student Services CoordinatorLaura is the latest team member to join our Student Services Department. Laura holds a distinguished academic background, having graduated with a 1st Class Honours in her BSc in Social Sciences degree with a dual major in Sociology and Information and Communication studies from University College Dublin in May 2023. Notably, her commitment to academic excellence was acknowledged in her first year she was awarded an academic scholarship for achieving the highest GPA score in Stage 1 of my programme in 2020. Throughout her Degree, she engaged with a diverse range of topics that have equipped her with a strong foundation in both sociological perspectives and digital communication strategies. Professional Experiences: During a recent internship Purple House Cancer Support in Bray provided Larua with invaluable practical experience where she developed a comprehensive skill set in customer relations through interactions within the voluntary sector. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Laura has cultivated a deep passion for Irish dancing, dedicating over 16 years to competitive training. This commitment resulted in consistent top ten placements at local, regional, and world competitions, reflecting her dedication and determination to acheieve while showcasing her pursuit of excellence beyond the academic realm.
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Fathima Sana Shireen Najeeb – Educational Psychologist for HET, FET & Lifelong LearnersFathima Sana is our Educational Psychologist overseeing a crucial role in helping learners reach their full potential by providing expert psychological assessments, guidance and support. The position plays an integral role in the development of educational policy and strategies to improve academic performance standards. In addition to her expertise in other areas she is a trained and qualified Psychologist with a knack for creating immersive, enriching and supportive learning experiences for team members and students alike. Fathima also conducts one-to-one and group sessions to help learners achieve optimum mental health, manage psychological and emotional struggles enhancing academic and personal development. Qualifications & Training include:
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Ken Clancy – Systems Upgrade Project ManagerWith 25 years’ experience working in the customer service and sales industry and a BSc in Soft Systems Development, Ken joined the team in 2018 as our Systems Upgrade Project Manager. Ken began his new role reviewing and upgrading some of the colleges internal software systems through the creation of a purpose-built Student Relations Management System which will replace older student management systems with a user-friendly integration of all current systems and analytical reporting. Ken has worked in team-based environments all his career and enjoys working closely with staff to present new ideas for system improvements. Ken joined The Open College with a zest for hard work and goal achievement and is proving to be a valuable asset to the team. Qualifications & Training include:
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