• Name: Kathy Bradley 
• Position: Skills Centre Co-ordinator

A UCC law graduate she has chosen to specialise in working with students in the education sector.

Kathy has primarily worked with students returning to education or transitioning to a new educational phase and holds a particular interest in ensuring the students are fully equipped to engage with their chosen subjects.

She designs and delivers workshops at third level that provide the student with the tools to allow them to be more confident in their approach to learning.

Her positive engagement with academic and student communities allow for the workshop portfolio to remain current and fit for purpose, addressing student skill shortages and helping them transition to and through university life.

The Skills Centre, under her direction provides an active and responsive learning space for students seeking to unlock their potential and participate fully in their chosen academic discipline.

• Name: Marian Elders
• Position: Skills Centre Executive Assistant

Welcome. My name is Marian and I am the first person you will see when you visit the Skills Centre – I sit facing the door! 

I attended UCC as a mature student and achieved an honours B.Soc.Sc. and MA in Women’s Studies. 

Having completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Guidance and Support from NUI Maynooth I will be able to help you use our facilities and get the most from your Skills Centre experience.

• Name: Mairead Roche
• Position: Skills Centre Tutor

Building on a degree and Masters gained in UCC, I am now in my second year of a PhD with the School of English.

Sandwiched between Masters and PhD has been a career path that includes having run my own business and being a film critic.

Communicating an enjoyable path towards education and the accomplishing of goals is my priority.

As a tutor, this is what I endeavour to ingrain in all the students who have the excellent self-improving instinct to seek out the services of the Skills centre.

• Name: Greg Casey
• Position: Skills Centre Tutor

My name is Greg Casey and I am an MPlan student at UCC, in my first year of the course.

I am recent graduate of UCC, having just completed my BA in Economics and Geography this year.

I truly believe that the sessions and services that are offered by the skills centre are a wonderful opportunity for students.

They help you develop and advance essential skills for their time at university and, indeed, beyond this time.

• Name: Eadaoin Reagan
• Position: Skills Centre Tutor

I am a third-year PhD student in the School of English, I completed my BA in English and History (joint major) at UCC in 2012.

It is an invaluable resource for students at all levels.

The flexibility of walk-in consultations, one-to-one feedback sessions, and group modules means there is something for everyone.

It's been a great resource for me as a tutor in the School of English for the past two years & many of my past students highly recommended the services. 

• Name: Martin Plachetka
• Position: Skills Centre Tutor

My name is Martin. I have a BA in Business in Tourism & an MA in Applied Linguistics. I am currently in the final year of my PhD in Applied Linguistics.

My dissertation research is based on a cross-country comparison of the minorities living in the Czech Republic & Slovakia; particularly language use, culture & identity.

The Skills Centre is a great place where students can get help on various academic aspects.

It offers a welcoming & friendly environment where they can avail of both group & 1-2-1 sessions that are tailored to their learning needs.

 

• Name: Emma Otten
• Position: Student Ambassador

I'm studying for my MSc in Management and Marketing.

In 2014, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Drama and Theatre Studies with Geography. 

I'm a Student Ambassador for the Skills Centre so if you see me around the Skills Center or at any events feel free to come and say hello and ask any questions.

The Skills Centre is a great resource to have, which didn't exist when I studied previously and I'd recommend that you take full advantage of what we have to offer.

• Name: Robyn Cremin
• Position: Student Ambassador

I am a masters student studying criminology here at UCC.

I also completed my BA in criminology international in 2019.

I am now an ambassador at the Skills Centre which means it’s my job to promote all that we have to offer.

I think the skills Centre is a vital tool for both undergraduate and postgraduate students alike, and can offer assistance to even the most confident and experienced students.

• Name: Marnina Winkler
• Position: Skills Centre Tutor

Marnina Winkler is a PhD student in the Study of Religions department. 

She has a Bachelors in Music with a minor in History from Utah Valley University and received a Masters in Ethnomusicology from University College Cork. 

Marnina’s PhD research topic is on the Jewish community of Cork through the Gerald Goldberg archives. 

She has been tutoring in the Skills Centre for the last year and is now a leader for the 2019-2020 academic year SPEAK program.

• Name: Maura Bendix
• Position: Skills Centre tutor

My name is Maura, I am a first year PhD student in medicine, I just moved to Cork and UCC in January 2019.

Before then I lived in the Netherlands and Canada, with a short intermezzo in England.

I studied Human Biology in my undergrad and for my masters I studied Medical Biology.

I started turing younger pupils back during my time in secondary school and after working for several years during my summer break for a language school.

• Name: Julie Butters
• Position: Skills Centre tutor

Julie Butters has been working in a higher education context for over 12 years specialising in academic skills for international students.

Her role at UAL also included the development and delivery of Continuous Professional Development sessions on Intercultural Competence and Awareness for all university staff.  

In 2015, she completed an MA postgraduate in Applied Linguistics at Kings College London where she specialised in Sociolinguistics. 

She has also presented at various conferences in both the UK and Ireland on the topics of Inclusivity, Diversity and Student Engagement in higher education.

• Name: Marian Caulfield
• Position: Skills Centre tutor

Marian Caulfield has a BA in Music & an MA in Study of Contemporary Religions.

 She has also worked a class Tutor, & also Course Coordinator with the Study of Religions Department at UCC since 2014. 

Her studies the interconnections between the world of 'sound' and the 'transcendent'.

She has an interest in the practice of sounding grief, through the old Irish tradition of lament.