Mature Graduates

Dave Moran BA, MA	Bernie D'Arcy BA, M.Ed.	Aidan Monaghan B.Ed.
Dr Toni Owens	Ben Staunton Collins BA, M.Sc.	Dr Darren Kelly

The story so far
Between 1996 and 2010, 715 mature students graduated from St Patrick’s B.Ed. and BA degree programmes, 92% with an honours degree.  The College is proud of their achievements.

Three of our mature BA graduates were awarded Government of Ireland scholarships to complete their doctorates. One of our History graduates was subsequently awarded a Government of Ireland Post-doctoral Research Fellowship to write a book on Irish Tourism and the State 1880-1980. A Geography graduate was awarded his doctorate in 2007 and was also awarded a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship Residency in Beloit College, Wisconsin for 2007/08. To read more, click on the images above.

Dave Moran BA graduate
My working life began when I was fifteen years old in the postal service, where I have remained for the last thirty years.  My preparation for university developed with a political education, both as a trade union and community activist and in September 2000 I enrolled in the UCD Return to Learning Course.  I learned there that St Patrick’s has a cohort of passionate advocates for adult education, and I decided to enrol in their BA.  I graduated in November 2004 and advanced to the H.Dip in Sociology and Social Research in UCD, which I finished in mid-2005. I subsequently completed the taught Master's Degree in Sociology and in October 2006 I joined the Ph.D. course at the School of Sociology in Belfield. St Patrick’s provides a community spirit which is crucial for mature students; unlike my initial experience of education, I found that maturity and education are intensely and pleasantly compatible.  I see my formal education as an extension of life experiences, an indispensable ingredient for mature students.

 

Aidan Monaghan B.Ed. graduate 2008

I returned to education in 2004 as I felt I needed a new challenge in my working life.  The enjoyment of student life, clubs and societies and social events was coupled with the challenging work of assignments and lectures in St Patrick’s.  I felt supported and valued both by the college teaching staff and students alike.   The most enjoyable, rewarding and toughest part of the B.Ed. was teaching practice.  It provided the opportunity to put into practice all the skills and theory we learned through our course and I feel it was central to my development as a primary school teacher.  I would thoroughly recommend the B. Ed. to anyone thinking of pursuing teaching as a mature student.  I am currently in my second year as a teacher and my experiences now far outweigh expectations.  The job is interesting and enjoyable.  No two days are ever the same, especially with so many curricular subjects and extra-curricular activities. For me taking on the challenge of the B. Ed. and my new career was one of the best decisions of my life.

 

Berni D'Arcy

I completed my Leaving Cert in 1978 when third level  was neither an option nor an aspiration. The next twenty years were spent raising our increasing brood and working in various jobs that fitted in with that task.  I was always active in the community and in 1995  was afforded the opportunity to participate in a Diploma in Community Development and Leadership.  I thoroughly enjoyed the course and was blown away by the effect it had on, not only my personal development, but also the insight it gave me into inequality and disadvantage, traits that were all too obvious in the Community I was raised in. Another consequence of dipping my toe into the water of Academia was the desire to dive right in and so 1999 saw me securing a place in St Patrick’s College If I thought the Community Development Course had an effect on my development and learning it was nothing compared to that of the next three years. I graduated in 2002 with an Honours degree in Human Development and Religion. I really enjoyed my time in the college and was hugely supported by both staff and fellow students, young and mature alike I progressed to Trinity to do an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counselling. In 2005 I began working as an Adult Guidance Counsellor  in the Local Employment Service of the Tolka Area Partnership. I am currently employed as Local Employment Centre Co-ordinator and look after the Guidance and Mediation Team. 

 

Dr Toni Owens, BA graduate
I left school at sixteen to follow a commercial course in preparation for entering the workforce. I held several administrative posts before working in cadbury's HR Department for ten years. I always wanted to return to education and study at university level but felt this was beyond me, that it would be too difficult. In 1993, I attended a one year Return to Learning course in UCD, this gave me the confidence to apply for the BA degree in St Patrick's College. I was offered a place and commenced my BA in 1994 and graduated with an honours degree in 1997. I loved my time in St Patrick's, the tutors and lecturers were tremendously supportive. I went on to study for an MA in Communications and Cultural Studies in DCU, which I completed in 1999. I was subsequently employed by AONTAS to conduct research into the barriers to male participation in education. The findings of this research were published in 2000 and in 2001 I was awarded a Government of Ireland Scholarship to continue my research in this area whilst undertaking my doctorate, which I completed in St Patrick's in 2005. I now lecture on the Masters in Human Development course in St Patrick's.

Ben Staunton Collins, BA graduate

As a member of the college library staff I was aquainted with the first cohort of mature students on the B.A course  in 1993.  I began to question my career path and I realised that I could also share their experience.  I started my degree course in 1999, knowing that I wanted to work as a Psychotherapist.  Being a mature undergraduate was a positive experience on the whole.  I was trying to juggle full time work, college course and family. But my background in the library meant that I knew where to find material and how to go about it.   A very good grounding in Human Development meant that I felt very well equipped for my postgraduate course in Psychotherapy. My postgraduate course took four years to complete and again my library background and a good knowledge of conducting research made the academic side of the course less daunting. Currently I am working part time in the Library and part time in private practice as a Counselling Psychotherapist. I operate in an integrative framework, mainly using a humanistic approach. I also use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, where appropriate. More than anything else, I very carefully listen to the particular story each person has to tell. I make suggestions from time to time, ask questions, and share my thoughts as we go along. But always my primary goal is to help each client discover the particular meaning of her or his unique journey. It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to attend someone for a little part of their way through life. It is a work unlike any other.

 

Dr Darren Kelly, BA graduate
I completed my Leaving Certificate in 1987 in Coláiste Dhulaig.   Entering university at that time was not considered an option by any of my classmates, so I went to New York for three years and worked as a community worker with young people and traveled throughout the States.  Between 1990 and 1993, I worked as a development worker with Voluntary Service International in Dublin.   Subsequently I worked as a teacher in Youthreach in Dublin and during the Summers as a freelance educator and trainer across Europe.   Working in the non-formal education sector and with an NGO raised my awareness of the possibility of returning to education.  Through a colleague in Youthreach, I heard about the BA in St Patrick’s and decided to apply for a place on the BA in 1998. 

In 2001 I was awarded a First Class Honours degree in English and Geography.   When I embarked on my studies, it was with the same apprehension as all students, however, with the support of staff and other mature students, my confidence gradually increased and this gave me the enthusiasm to pursue postgraduate study.    The supportive learning environment and the openness of the academic staff to adopting innovative approaches to research was also a factor in my decision to continue my studies in St Patrick’s.  In 2002  I commenced a doctorate, which I completed  in Spring 2007.  My interdisciplinary Ph.D. mapped where asylum seekers were residing in Dublin and particularly examined the socio-cultural effects immigration has had on inner city spaces, sustainable development strategies for integration and spatial planning. During my studies I gave university week-long faculty seminars on International education in: America (2004), Russia(2005) and China (2007).    I became involved in the Drama Society shortly after coming to St Patrick’s and worked as producer, actor and script writer with the Drama Society. 

In 2002, I was awarded the Ahearn Scholarship as Ireland's top post-graduate student by the American Academy of Achievement.  I was subsequently awarded a one-year Fulbright Scholarship to teach at Beloit College as Scholar-in-Residence in  2007-2008. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in St Patrick’s and was glad to be able to give something back to the College by becoming involved in teaching here, by participating in mature students events and by encouraging mature students who came to the College after me.  Indeed, working with mature students has proven to be the most enjoyable and challenging aspect of teaching in the College over the last 5 years.  Mature students bring a wealth of knowledge, life experience and enthusiasm to their studies.  

Last Updated: Wednesday September 07 2011