Jacqui O’Riordan has taken over the role of Director at the Unit since late in 2000. Jacqui started working with the HEEU in October 1998 as Deputy Organiser, then Deputy Director. Since then she has had particular responsibility for areas of access, mature students, disability and North-South co-operation. Jacqui worked closely with Orla in conducting the on-going work of the Unit. The Unit is now working within an environment where access and equality issues are at the forefront of everyone’s minds within the higher education sector. With Jacqui as Director we are optimistic of continuing the Unit’s valuable work to date. We expect to engage fully in this agenda, providing support for higher level institutions in their work in promoting equality in the coming years.
Picture - Jacqui O'Rioridan
Jennifer Sweeney joined the Unit in November as a ResourceCentre Assistant. She has a BA in Irish and History and an H.Dip in Ed. She is particularly interested in the area of gender issues within the education system and is currently taking an MA in Women’s Studies at UCC.
Picture - Jennifer Sweeney
Vanessa Clarke joined the Unit early in 2001 as Secretary/Administrator. Vanessa will continue to work with the HEEU until August of 2001 when Bernie Fitzgerald is due to return from her leave of absence. Bernie is currently studying at Amherst, Mass. USA. Vanessa is a recent graduate of UCC and her hands-on experience of working with Traveller children has given her significant insights into issues of equality. We are delighted that Vanessa has joined the Unit Staff and are looking forward to working with her.
Mike FitzGibbon has been working with the HEEU on a short-term contract basis since July 2000, having previously been working on and off with the Unit on information systems and internet support. He has been continuing work within the area of Minority Ethnic Groups on the creation of an intercultural/antiracism pack for third-level institutions, work which was begun by Gertrude Cotter, and will be complete early this year. Mike also manages the HEEU webpage, and supports information systems within the Unit.
Olive Broderick is the Information Worker with the HEEU. She has been working with the HEEU on a part-time basis since 1997 and from 1998 on a full-time basis. She is responsible for the HEEU information Service and is the person most likely to deal with enquiries to the HEEU.
Emma Bidwell has been responsible for the layout and design of publictions within the Unit since 1999. She is currently studying for her degree in English and Latin in UCC.
Picture - Emma Bidwell
Aisling O’Loughlin began working at the HEEU in January 2001. She is a full time student in First Science and works at the HEEU on a part-time basis as student help.
Picture - Aisling O'Loughlin
Angela O’Connell joined the HEEU early in 2001 as a temporary project worker. Angela has worked in UCC for many years, teaching and coordinating in the area of adult education, and was involved in the Mature Student Tutor/Advisor scheme from its inception in 1997 until last year. She has recently completed her Master’s in Women’s Studies and continues to teach on the Diploma in Women’s Studies in outreach centres. She finds her work in the HEEU challenging and rewarding, as it allows her to address equality and access issues she had previously encountered in her work with mature students. Her work in the centre is currently in the area of rural access to third-level education, mature student research in Irish institutions and the National Network of Equality Representatives.
Table of Contents of Newsletter 10
