Following a university-wide recruitment process, St Patrick’s Pontifical University Maynooth has appointed a team of Student Ambassadors. While students have always supported Faculty in university life, this is the first programme to formally recruit and recognise the skills brought by students to such an important role. Students have been selected from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
This year’s inaugural Ambassadors include: Alex Balfe Vicic from Carlow, Aoife Ryan from Westmeath, Aoife Ward and Shauna Murphy from Meath, Colm McGoldrick from Mayo, Luka Pranciliauskas from Wexford, Mark-Paul Behan Clarke from Wicklow and Niamh Palmer from Cork.
Colm, a proud Mayo man and theology student applied for the role as he wants to lend himself to the quality of teaching being delivered in the faculty. Colm said: “A degree in theology will provide you with a range of transferable skills that will greatly enhance your future employability and career prospects. Theology students garner advanced communication skills. They are adept at critical analysis and problem solving, thus enabling them to approach the future with an open and questioning mind.
“The St Patrick’s graduate is discerning and socially engaged. Their knowledge and appropriation of their theological studies empowers them to make a unique and invaluable contribution in their future careers”, he added.
Alex, a Theology and Arts student applied for the role as she believes her experience of relocating for third level studies can lend itself to her peers. Alex said: “After searching available courses I found the course for me, a degree in Theology and Arts. With smaller class sizes, approachable staff, friendly classmates and a beautiful campus I quickly found myself a second home here in Maynooth from Carlow.
“As a Student Ambassador, I hope to share my experience with others who might be studying further away from home. I also want to promote the wide range of subject options available within the Faculty”, she added.
The Ambassadors will be a vital link for incoming students, assisting with orientation activities, providing campus tours and being on hand with advice and recommendations on how best to transition from second level into life at university. The Student Ambassadors will also assist at university events throughout the year passing on their firsthand experiences of life at St Patrick’s.
St Patrick’s Pontifical University is located in Maynooth. Maynooth is unique in being Ireland’s only University town. The town and campus are extensions of each other. Students enjoy the benefits of having all the amenities they need close at hand without the busyness of a large city, while still being very accessible to Dublin which is only 30 minutes away and served by excellent rail and road links.
