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 Agata! I have recently graduated from a Bachelor of Business in Economics and Finance at South East Technological University and I am now working in Dublin as an Investment Consultant. This is my third year as a returning student trainer with NStEP!

During my time in university, I was involved in many roles. I was a class representative for a number of years, I volunteered, and I was involved in a pilot youth forum with the Council of Europe early this year (2023). I have always been ambitious to get involved, particularly in the student movement.

The pandemic started at the end of my first year in university which showed how important communication and resilience was, so I stayed eager to represent students as much as I could.  I became the Business School Officer for my Students Union (SETU Waterford) in my second year of college, where I had a lot of involvement in the Students Union (SU) and was a part of many committees.  I also attended the USI Congress (2021, 2023) where I gained a deep insight into the issues affecting students across Ireland.

My best advice to you, is to say yes to as many things as possible…where you can of course! Develop your skills while you have the opportunity to, and to challenge yourself. I hope to be a supportive trainer and put my experience into practice.  I cannot wait to meet you all!

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 I’m Susie!

I just completed my BA Anthropology at Maynooth University and start my masters in September 2023. As a mature student and former academic rep, I feel I have a lot of wisdom to share with the new batch of academic reps. It is a privilege to represent your department and I can’t wait to meet everyone and hear all of your experiences as we can all learn from each other. I don’t get a lot of spare time but when I do, you’ll find me cuddling my cats, travelling or going to concerts with my husband.

Hi my name is Amrita, and I’m an international student from India. I am currently completing my undergrad degree at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

I have experience with student engagement and higher education through being a part of National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education as a Student Associate for over a year and half. I am also currently a Quality Assurance Reviewer with NStEP.

I am a natural multi-tasker and good orator which makes it easy for any roles involving people. Student Engagement was something I had heard of whilst being associated with National T&L and USI on a regular basis which piqued my interest to explore NStEP and QQI as well.

I love being involved in student experience roles and have served as Vice President & Secretary for the DkIT ACM Student Chapter Society, and I am also a Student Ambassador with Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Outside of college life, I’m a multi-tasker who has juggled part-time jobs and full-time college with a lot of work roles in and outside college whilst spending time with friends and a lot of Netflix!

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.

My name is Meg, and I am currently completing a Masters of Education with Hibernia College, having previously graduated from NUIG with a B.Sc. Hons. Throughout my undergraduate I held the position of student representative for 3 of my 4 years, however my passion for student advocation has only really begun to grow since stepping into my current student rep position.

Currently holding positions on Hibernia’s academic board, Hibernia’s and NStEP’s Student Engagement Committees,  Hibernia’s Teaching, Learning and Assessment committee, and the National Forums student assembly, I am not one to shy away from opportunities to engage with discussions in my institution. In the new position of Student Trainer I hope to use these experiences to inspire and encourage students from all institutions to connect with their role of student rep, and identify how they can improve the student experience, ensuring that the student voice is engrained throughout all levels of their institution.

We students are the key to improving education for all, and I couldn’t be more excited to be apart of a team that holds the student voice and experiences at the centre of what they do!