SETU Carlow graduate attributes her promotion to her return to education as an adult
Susan O’Reilly is all set to continue leading the way in her community following her graduation at South East Technological University Carlow’s recent lifelong learning conferring ceremony.
South East Technological University Carlow graduate is all set to continue leading the way in her community following her recent lifelong learning conferring ceremony.
Susan O’Reilly, who has worked with Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) since 2018 and who volunteers with Clonmel Óg GAA, graduated with a BA Degree in Leadership and Community Development.
Susan undertook the degree with An Cosán, Ireland’s largest community education organisation, which provides blended and flexible adult community education programmes to adults across Ireland.
Its higher education programmes, which are accredited by South East Technological University (SETU), are delivered online, which means they can be undertaken from anywhere in the country.
Susan attributes her promotion to the role of Programme Development Coordinator in December 2022 to An Cosán’s degree programme.
“The skills and knowledge I learned were very applicable in my working environment,” she said.
“I am passionate about learners and ensuring they have a voice – in the ETB, locally in Tipperary, and nationally. Along with my colleague Ciarán Kennedy (Wellbeing Coordinator), I was responsible for setting up the first Learner Voice Forum in Tipperary ETB in 2023, which has resulted in the first Student Council for Further Education and Training in Tipperary ETB. The student council has been shortlisted for an AONTAS Star Award this year under the Learner Voice category.”
Susan was one of 26 An Cosán graduates from 13 counties who were joined in Carlow by proud family members and friends, as well as members of An Cosán staff, to celebrate their achievements.
Like Susan, most are already involved in their local communities and, with their new qualifications under their belts, they are well placed to continue making a positive impact in their communities.
An Cosán’s BA in Leadership and Community Development and BA in Applied Addiction Studies and Community Development programmes aim to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, competencies and skills for them to make a professional contribution to communities, groups and organisations in a local community context.
Susan said An Cosán’s flexible approach to adult education allowed her the opportunity to return to education while continuing to work full-time and raising her family.
“Flexible learning options were fantastic and I was able to plan out assignments, class time and group work way ahead of time,” she said.
“An Cosán are very understanding that students have a life outside of studies, and are always ready to support in any way they can.”
Susan, who is heavily involved in Clonmel Óg GAA Club where she is the Juvenile Club Secretary, said she would never have been able to complete her degree without this flexibility.
“My BA in Leadership & Community Development has helped me both in my personal life, volunteering in my community, and in my professional life working in education,” she said.
“I am forever grateful to An Cosán, and the wonderful tutors who made this possible for me.”
An Cosán seeks to empower through education, with its focus primarily on early school leavers. Its unique, holistic approach sees it providing a range of wraparound supports to learners, including flexible timetables, financial support, IT support, parenting support, and one-to-one mentoring and counselling.
An Cosán Chief Executive Officer, Heydi Foster, expressed her gratitude to SETU Carlow for their ongoing support of An Cosán and their dedication towards adult learners.
“This dream that has been realised for our 26 graduates today would not have been possible without our collaborative partnership with South East Technological University dating back to 2008,” she said.
“SETU’s commitment to make higher education available right across Ireland to communities who might not otherwise have access to it aligns with our own vision. Our learners, who come from some of the most marginalised communities in Ireland, include early school leavers, lone parents, adults returning to education, people experiencing poverty and social exclusion, Travellers and International Protection Applicants.”
Congratulating the graduates, Ms Foster said: “The achievements we’re celebrating today cannot be taken lightly. The challenges and obstacles you have overcome to get here are unprecedented. Not only have you had to navigate your way through your course work, assignments and assessments while juggling your home lives and involvement in your local communities, but you have also navigated your way through a global pandemic, and all that that entailed. We are incredibly proud of you and we know each of you will continue to have a tremendously positive impact on your families and your communities.”
Ms Foster said An Cosán looked forward to continuing its valuable linked partnership with SETU, which received recognition last year by the Higher Education Authority with the awarding of a Performance Fund grant.
“We will continue to reach the furthest behind first through our progressive pathways to higher education,” she said, “And we look forward to expanding our successful community-based higher education programmes so that more adult learners from marginalised communities across Ireland can achieve empowerment through education.”
SETU Carlow’s Director of Lifelong Learning, Rosemary Flynn, said: “SETU Carlow is proud to validate the work of An Cosán because together we share a set of values that enables us to build a society which is, at its core, both ethical and inclusive. An Cosán continues to help many people to find their way out of the darkness of educational disadvantage and into a future bright with hope and possibility. Congratulations and well done to the 26 wonderful graduates who we know will continue to craft a society defined by inclusion and justice.”