Meet the Student Trainers

Hi there! My name is Sarah and this year I have just graduated from DCU’s BA in Humanities (Psychology Major) and will be progressing into the MA in Psychology and Wellbeing. My pronouns are She/Her/They/Them.

During my degree, I have been a class representative for the past 2 years, as well as being actively involved as a representative with the Students’ Union, advocating for students and speaking on their behalf at programme board meetings. I have also been involved in organising and facilitating the Student Voices, a series of informative sessions on the different modules offered from DCU Connected in order to aid future students in their decision making.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a class rep, and am looking forward to helping to train the next cohort of class reps. Having completed some of the NStEP training courses throughout my own time as a class rep, I am looking forward to passing forward this invaluable knowledge and training.

Outside of my academic life, I enjoy connecting to nature hiking, surfing, swimming and generally exploring as well as spending time with my little pup Poppy.

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 storytelling and creativity extends into my love for traveling the world, where I explore new cultures and ways of life. In the past two years, I’ve solo traveled to 30 countries, meeting lifelong friends along the way and gaining valuable perspectives on life.

As a fitness fanatic and personal trainer, I’ve always been committed to an active lifestyle. I previously coached athletics in my secondary school, where my team and I won numerous All-Ireland championships. Running is a big part of my life, and I’m currently training for my first marathon. When I’m not hitting the trails, you can find me playing football, volunteering for my Gaisce Award, or learning new skills, such as French and Portuguese. I’m driven by a mission to visit every country in the world, and I’m well on my way to achieving that goal. 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. My dedication to student life has been recognized with awards for student engagement and being named Student of the Year during my final year of secondary school.

I’m not just about academics and athletics, though. I’ve skydived for charity, showing my willingness to push boundaries for a good cause. I also volunteer as a tour guide for international students coming to Ireland, sharing my love for my country and helping others feel welcome. 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 second year of the B.Ed. Home Economics course in St. Angela’s College Sligo, but I am originally from Waterford.

At the beginning of 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 have 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 the Class Rep for my course 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 over the past year 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!

My hobbies include reading, listening to podcasts, playing the Sims 4, and I am also a massive Swiftie!

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 in my third year of a bioscience degree in ATU Letterkenny. 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 everyone! My name is Sai Gujulla, and I’m currently pursuing Biomedical Engineering at the University of Galway. My pronouns are He/Him.

In the past, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the President of Comhaltas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, University of Galway Students’ Union, where I’ve been dedicated to advocating for students and representing their interests on more than 30 committees. During my time in the union, I’ve been actively involved in organising events, hosting meetings, and engaging with various stakeholders to improve the student experience. I’m also looking forward to training the next generation of student leaders and sharing the insights I’ve gained from my time in this role.

When I’m not busy with my responsibilities in the India Society or my studies, I love playing cricket, a game of chess, with an interest in coding as well!