Professional Staff Partnership Programme

Launched in Autumn 2023, the University for All Professional Staff Partnership Programme supports and accelerates the implementation of Universal Design throughout UCD Student Supports and Services. Building on the work of the Faculty Partnership Programme which has seen the widespread adoption of UDL training and practices by UCD faculty and teaching staff, this Programme has built the Universal Design capacity of the University’s professional staff colleagues to ensure that student supports and services are accessible for all students. This pilot focuses on colleagues who are in roles that attract, retain, develop and support the diverse student population in UCD. This pilot focuses on colleagues who are in roles that attract, retain, develop and support the diverse student population in UCD. 

We are delighted to announce the appointment of nine UCD colleagues as Professional Staff Partners:

• Dr Kate Collins - Programme Manager Global Campus, School of Business
• Dr Colleen Doyle - Global Alliance & Networks Officer, UCD Global
• Karen Maye - School Placement Lead and Head of PME Outreach Initiatives, School of Education
• Caroline McTeigue - Project Lead Customer & Curriculum Operations, UCD Registry
• Dr Niamh Nestor - Head of Service, Student Advisers
• Adam Tattersall - Technology Enhanced Learning Manager, School of Medicine
• Ryan Teevan - Head of Educational Technology Services, IT Services
• Emma Somers - Mature Student Adviser
• Jiaqi Zhang - Technology Integration Manager, Innovation Academy

The cornerstone of this Programme is Digital Badge for Universal Design Beyond the Classroom. This Badge inspires staff to universally design their practices, regardless of their roles, so that all students and staff can engage with their work. Professional Staff Partners have completed this course, and now facilitate rollouts of it for their colleagues and have become role models for inclusion. Professional staff have become recognised leaders in the field of access and inclusion and the implementation of Universal Design. The Programme is funded by the HEA’s PATH 4 Universal Design Fund.