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The Co-Curricular Advantage

A Showcase of Co-Curricular activity at UCD

  • Do you want to support the personal and professional development of current students?
  • Do you communicate with prospective students?
  • Are you looking for a way to recognise student engagement in activity outside the classroom?
  • Are you interested in building a sense of community and belonging on campus?
  • Do you want to network with colleagues involved in developing co-curricular activities?

If any, or all, of the above applies to you, we hope you’ll join us for this showcase of co-curricular activity in UCD, organised by the UCD Co-Curricular Community of Practice, so you can encourage current and prospective students to build their skills and enhance their sense of belonging.

Conference Details

Date22 May 2025

Time11:00am - 1:00pm

LocationUCD Village Auditorium

OrganisersCo-Curricular Community of Practice

Register Here

The Co-Curricular Advantage

The importance of students developing strong transversal skills that will help them stand out from the crowd and give them an advantage as graduates is reflected in the UCD Strategy to 2030, Breaking Boundaries. Co-curricular activities play a large part in the development of these skills contributing significantly to students’ personal growth, leadership development, social connections, and wellness. There is a wide range of co-curricular activity available to students at UCD, a small sample of which includes: the Peer Mentor and Student Ambassador programmes where students can contribute to a sense of belonging and community on campus; the role of Class Representative, developing students’ ambition and fostering a sense of responsibility; Student Volunteering activity where students can give back to the community; the Global Guide programme where students can advance intercultural experience and understanding on campus; and, the Student Partnership Programme and Access outreach activities where staff can partner actively with students to understand and respond to their priorities. 

We hope by attending this event staff will come away more informed on the breadth of co-curricular opportunities available to students and more enlightened on the benefits they bring!

UCD Co-Curricular Community Of Practice

The UCD Co-Curricular Community of Practice was formed in January 2024 for the purpose of developing knowledge and enhancing best practice of co-curricular activity in UCD, and growing collaboration across the University in the co-curricular space. The CoP meets three times per year minimum and membership consists primarily of ‘activity leaders’ who run co-curricular activities in UCD as well as the Co-Curricular team from UCD Careers Network.

UCD Advantage Award

UCD Advantage is the University’s official award, appearing on students’ Diploma Supplement at graduation, to recognise the skills, knowledge and experience that UCD students gain through participation in co-curricular activities. Recipients of the UCD Advantage Award are presented with a digital certificate and are invited to an annual celebration event.

Event Schedule

Time Detail
10:30 - 11:00  Registration
11:00 - 11:10

Introduction

David Foster, Director of Careers, Employability and Skills, UCD Careers Network

11:10 - 11:30

Keynote Speaker 

Nora Trench Bowles, Head of Lifelong Learning and Skills, Irish Universities Association

11:30 - 11:40

Overview of UCD Advantage Award

Sophie Carey, Senior Careers and Skills Manager, UCD Careers Network

11:40 - 12:00

Four Showcase Presentations

  • Kate Bruton, Dignity and Respect Support Adviser, ‘Dignity and Respect Student Ambassador Programme’
  • Daniel Elliott, University for All Programme Manager, ‘University for All Student Partnership Programme’
  • Niamh Byrne McKenna, Community Engagement, ‘Student Volunteering in UCD’
  • Nadia Clarkin, Orientation and Peer Mentoring Manager and Aoife McGouran, BA English, Stage 3 and Peer Mentor Senior Leader, ‘UCD Peer Mentor Programme: Supporting Student Transition and Community Building’

12:00 - 12:10

Comfort break 
12:10 - 12:30

Four Showcase Presentations

  • Jason Masterson, Facilities Manager, UCD Estate Services, ‘The Impact of the Campus Assistant programme’
  • Shamiso Chigorimbo, Global Engagement & Outreach Officer, UCD Global, ‘Global Guide Programme’
  • Michelle Tracey, Senior Access Student Support Officer, Antoine Bodo, Outreach Officer, and Fiona Sweeney, Head, Outreach Engagement and Transition, ‘How UCD Access Leaders co-create and co-deliver Outreach Initiatives with Access & Lifelong Learning’
  • Saskia McCormack-Eiffe, Campaigns and Engagement Officer, UCD Students’ Union, ‘UCDSU Class Representatives’
12:30 - 12:50

Panel Discussion  

  • Panel of students with experience of various co curricular activities, moderated by Niall Dennehy, Student Wellbeing Coordinator, Office of the Registrar
  • Cormac Ó Dubhshláine, Recipient of Residence Scholarship for Teach na Gaeilge in 2024-2025

  • Fintan Ryan, Team Coordinator in a sports and development project with UCDVO and their partner in Uganda

  • Faith Holmes, Library Student Guide

  • Pearce Wang, Head of Members Recruitment in Investors & Entrepreneurs Society

12:50 - 13:00 Closing Remarks
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch

UCD Careers Network

Library Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 7574 | E: careers@ucd.ie