Meet the Student Trainers

Hi, I’m Killian!! I’m currently a languages student at Dublin City University, specializing in Spanish and German. Alongside my studies, I work part-time as a content creator, podcaster, and photographer.

My passion for international experiences has also led me to participate in Erasmus+ projects, where I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the opinions and perspectives of others. Last year, I served as a class representative and hope to take on that role again this year, continuing to advocate for my fellow students.

This year, my goal is to share my experiences and help others develop in unique ways. I approach everything I do with passion, dedication, and a commitment to making a positive impact. I look forward to meeting all you amazing people very soon.

Hi, I’m Rhianna, and my pronouns are She/Her. I am in my third year of the B.Ed. Home Economics course in St. Angela’s College Sligo, but I am originally from Waterford.

In first year I learned about the role of a class rep, and I instantly knew it was something I was interested in. As a class rep I’ve had the opportunity to work with the SU in my college by voicing the ideas and concerns of my peers to help to improve our college environment and experience. Since becoming a class rep my passion for student advocacy and engagement has grown immensely, I believe every student should have a say in the way their course and college is run.

I really enjoyed my role as a class rep and wanted to get involved in other ways, which is why I became a student trainer. I also am a peer mentor for the first years in my college, helping them settle into college life and guiding them through their first few weeks!

Hi everyone! I am Rumbidzai Gandiwa and I come from Zimbabwe. I am currently in the 3rd year of my PhD in Marketing and International Business at Munster Technological University in Cork. I am passionate about education and I am interested in working with educators and students alike to make the learning experience a better one for everyone.

I joined NStEP as a Student Quality Assurance Reviewer in 2023 and I have benefitted a lot from that role and this led me to decide to take up the Student Trainer position in order to get more involved in student issues and ensure that student leaders are equipped with the necessary skills to properly represent their peers’ interests.

In my free time I enjoy playing board games, visiting galleries and museums, and watching documentaries. I look forward to meeting this year’s student leaders and working with them to create a better and more inclusive learning environment in Ireland’s HEI’s.

Hello I’m Damian! I graduated from MTU in Cork with a Bachelor of Arts in Software Engineering and a Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics. I am currently working as a Marketing and Communications Officer in the Business Development team at Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, and I’m also a Student Quality Assurance Reviewer with NStEP. 

I’m a graduate of BSc. in Bioscience degree in ATU Donegal. I have a strong background in activism, working with Donegal Down syndrome and Our children’s voice, campaigning for changes in legislation to allow children with Down Syndrome access to mainstream education. I have been to Leinster House on a number of occasions speaking on behalf of siblings of those with terminal illness and life limiting deases as well as presenting information gathered through surveys I help design and deliver.

I’ve been working closely with my collage’s SU as a class rep and part of the welfare committee for the last 2 years. I’m also a part of the Student Engagement Framework project team, where I’ve had the honour of meeting and discussing student engagement with some brilliant and passionate people. I’m ecstatic to be working with NStEP in the coming year in furthering the reach of student engagement and partnership across Ireland by providing training for the next generation of class reps.

I can’t wait to meet some of you in the coming year and hope to create a strong network of students, to exchange ideas and reinvigorate student voices in all areas of our third level institutes.

Hi, my name is Caren, and I’m an international student from Uganda. I’m in my third year of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at MTU Kerry.

I was my class’ representative and also a Student Engagement Associate (SEA) in my second year of college. Over the past two years, I have participated in both voluntary and non-voluntary projects aimed at enhancing student representation and experience, and I hope to share what I’ve learnt with you.

This year will be my first as a Student Trainer with NStEP. I look forward to helping you navigate your student representation roles and learning about your experiences. Other than this, I enjoy reading books, nature walks, and drawing in my free time.

My name is Shelley Ann and my pronouns are She/Her.

My previous experience working in education has been as the inaugural Deputy President of Postgraduate Affairs in TUSSU, a tutor and an inaugural member of TUS’s Governing Body. I enjoy my work within the music industry doing production, management, artist liaison and ticket management. I am also working on my second Masters, so I still have the experience of a student. Looking forward to meeting you all over the next academic year!

Hi, I am Lenka and my pronouns are She/Her. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Hons) degree from Dundalk Institute of Technology and I am currently pursuing my Masters in Entrepreneurship and Marketing also at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

My main experiences regarding Higher Education and student engagement are my work as a Student Quality Assurance Reviewer for NStEP and my internship ’Assessment for All’’. As a Student Reviewer, I worked on enhancing assessments in an inclusive way. I worked in partnership with other selected students, and academic and support staff. As a Student QA Reviewer, I have experience with working on programmes’ validation and revalidation processes, which allowed me to gain new insight into higher education and student/staff collaboration.

I am passionate about student engagement and everything related to it and I believe that student voice can play a big part in enhancing higher education. This motivated me to become a Student Trainer and I am grateful to be part of this initiative.

Outside of college, I will never say no to travelling and spending time with horses or dogs. I am also a big fan of cosy days with good books and coffee. I am looking forward to meeting students and hearing their own experiences and opinions!

Hi there! My name is Michaela, and I’m a graduate of BBus Business and Accounting in Maynooth University. I am from the wonderfully sunny South-East, Waterford.

I am passionate about student issues; I believe students are experts on their own college experience and therefore are in the best position to suggest recommendations on how to improve situations. Becoming an Academic Representative was one of the best things I did while in first year! I admire those who put themselves forward for these positions, as it is not an easy thing to do but very rewarding. I am very excited to listen to your questions and hear your experiences so far.

I feel very privileged to be able to train new and continuing students, student representation and empowerment is something I really enjoy and makes for a much nicer learning experience.  Volunteering, and getting involved with student life, through clubs and societies is very important to me. There is more to being a student than attending lectures, I want to encourage others to participate in voluntary activities, as you can learn so much from it.  In my free time, I love reading, doing yoga, watching Netflix and going for walks with my dog!

I am the MU Student Associate for the National Forum. I am also very lucky to be a Student Associate Intern for the Irish Universities Association Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning Project in Maynooth University, focusing on improving the quality of education and student’s experience of learning in the online environment, while improving the digital skills of students, lecturers and staff. We have created resources and delivered presentations on topics such as student engagement, staff-student partnerships, digital skills, academic integrity and what lecturers can do to support students.

Hello! I’m Rani, I am a second-year student currently pursuing a BSc. (Hons) in Computing with Games Development at Munster Technological University in Kerry. My journey in higher education has been deeply influenced by my passion for student engagement and the belief that student voices are crucial in shaping a better academic experience for everyone.

In my second semester, I stepped into the role of Student Engagement Associate, where I’ve had the opportunity to advocate for greater student involvement and representation. This role has been incredibly fulfilling, allowing me to contribute to initiatives that aim to improve the quality of education through active student participation.

Motivated by these experiences, I joined NStEP as a Student Trainer, a role I’m excited to embark on for the first time this year. I feel privileged to have the chance to train and empower both new and continuing students, fostering a culture of representation and empowerment that enhances the overall learning experience.

Beyond my academic and engagement work, I’m passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. I also have a creative side that I express through drawing, and I love staying active through various sports, whether indoors or outdoors. Nature walks are a favourite way for me to unwind, and I have a strong sense of adventure that drives me to travel and seek out new experiences whenever possible.

As I continue my journey at MTU, I’m eager to keep exploring new ways to contribute to the student community, grow both personally and professionally, and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.

Hi I’m Diana and I’m a graduate of Psychology in Dublin Business School, currently studying in the University of Limerick.

As a former Student Associate of the National Forum, a Public Face for the student listening service NiteLine, a past Vice President for Education in my university’s Students Union, a head girl, a peer mentor and a Class Rep, it is an honour for me to be a part of the team of Student Trainers of NStEP. Having grown up in three different countries (Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Ireland) and attended various schools respectively, my experiences are what have fuelled my goal in striving to be an advocate for all students, no matter their background, nor their experience and as such, institutions and teachers too.

It is my strong belief that student contribution through student representation (whether on a peer to peer level, an institution level, or national and international level) is vital to the academic experience. I have personally benefitted from the work of NStEP through being formally trained as a Class Rep and so I am grateful to be able to be pay this forward to future student advocates who will prove vital in student representation. I look forward to imparting what I have learnt from my journey in student advocation onto the new wave of students and learn from them in return!

A bit more about me: I’m a lover of art, poetry and dance, and a self proclaimed foodie! On rainy days you can find my watching reruns of criminal psychology shows and maybe, just maybe, napping!