Our Scholars
What distinguishes Uversity's Scholars is their commitment to being transformed and transforming others as a result of the Scholarship and educational experience.
Meet Our Scholars
These brief profiles of Uversity’s Scholars provide an indication of their diverse experiences, locations, and disciplines. They are unified by their inspirational ambition and determination.
Ciara Hicks
Hayden Nightingale
Karen Horan
Michelle Murray
Octavian Visan
Patrick Lynch
Ciara Hicks
Ciara worked in the gaming sector prior to returning to education initially at the Cork College of Commerce. After her degree, Ciara intends to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She eventually wants to “work as a mental health professional in Cork City in the public sector and provide therapies and support to people who need it and improve people’s quality of life.”
Hayden Nightingale
Hayden was motivated to return to education when he gave up his job to move back home to help care for his mother. Knowing that he “wasn’t living up to his potential” and wanted to find a career he had a passion for, he enrolled on Belfast Metropolitan College’s Access Diploma in Mathematics and Computing. After his degree, Hayden may pursue a Master’s in Corporate Governance and hopes to specialise “in the programming development side of the IT industry and more long term work on a self-employed basis and develop my own company.”
Karen Horan
Karen was brought up in a working class community and experienced the difficulties faced by the community in relation to equal justice. By working for Inclusion Ireland she built up skills in information provision. She went onto volunteer as a Citizen Information Officer, where she developed a passionate interest in Law. She recently joined the National Advocacy Service as the National Administrator where she works full-time while completing her degree. Karen intends to use her legal knowledge to give back to the community that has given her so much.
Michelle Murray
Michelle’s passion is for animal welfare, particularly horses. In 2016, she set up a project to support equine health and education with the Kildare Traveller Action group. She subsequently completed a Community Development & Leadership course prior to enrolling on her degree. She recently completed a Level 7 Certificate in Youth Studies at Maynooth University. Her ultimate aim is to set up a mobile equine health unit to help horse owners in disadvantaged and rural communities that struggle to access veterinary care.
Octavian Visan
Octavian worked for many years as a Hotel Receptionist prior to setting up his own tennis equipment business in 2014. The onset of ill health motivated him to further his education and change career direction. He has completed a Level 6 Business Administration course along with extra modules in Maths and Computerised Accounts. His work placement in Cora Systems allowed him to further develop his existing design and communication skills. With his degree, Octavian intends to start a career in Digital Marketing and open his own business in the future.
Patrick Lynch
Due to the onset of a degenerative back disease, Patrick had to cease being a self-employed carpenter. As he is also a musician, Patrick decided to pursue this alternative career path. He hopes to equip himself “with a qualification relevant to a career in music, arts and media” and to continue to develop his own creative ambitions as an artist.
Maria O’Mahony
MTU Crawford College Fine ArtMaria O’Mahony
MTU Crawford College
Fine ArtMaria O’Mahony was involved in animal rescue for six years. She returned to education in 2021 and completed a Fetac Level 5 and 6 course at Tramore Road Campus Cork. She is now studying a Fine Art degree at MTU Crawford College of Art and Design. She is particularly interested in becoming an Art Therapist and hopes to use her education to help others.
Mario Almassry
Technological University DublinMario Almassry
Technological University Dublin
Mario returned to education in 2023 to complete an Access Foundation Program in TUD, allowing him to go into a Computer Science course at TUD. His life experiences lead him to discover his love for Computer Science and enrol to it, which will enable him to pursue a career that he will enjoy, let him build the foundations for his future, and enable him to become a lecturer in the future so he can help other people pursue their dreams.
Mark Cullen
Dublin City University Climate and Environmental SustainabilityMark Cullen
Dublin City University
Climate and Environmental SustainabilityHaving overcome adversity and challenges including addiction and homelessness, Mark embraced the journey of recovery and sought to use education to rebuild his life. He began with QQI Level 3 courses while attending Soilse, the HSE’s addiction rehabilitation program. He then advanced to Level 5 qualifications in Addiction Studies and Community Development. After earning distinction grades in both subjects, Mark realised his potential and gained the confidence to pursue a Level 8 degree. He is now studying Climate and Environmental Sustainability at Dublin City University and hopes to be a source of inspiration and strength to others experiencing similar struggles.
Martha Doyle
Ulster University Computing SystemsMartha Doyle
Ulster University
Computing SystemsMartha completed an Access Diploma in Computers with Business and Multi-Media, while working full-time as a Personal Assistant for the Director of Care in Praxis Care. Over the years her “role became less about administration and more about governance, monitoring and setting up core systems as early alert signs.” Martha is pursuing her degree in Computing Systems to provide benefits to the company as well as the elderly service users because she “wants every person who is in care to be safe and cared for well.”
Martin Trainor
Ulster University Social WorkMartin Trainor
Ulster University
Social WorkMartin returned to education after a 14 year gap “determined to succeed and make myself and my family proud.” In 2017, he enrolled on a Certificate of Higher Education in Social and Behavioural Sciences and in January 2019, he successfully completed the Maths General Certificate of Secondary Education. Martin’s “goal after graduation is to pursue a career as a Social Care Worker.” He “would particularly like to work with young adults… helping them gain access to educational facilities to help them achieve their own goals and ambitions by receiving the support and guidance I was not aware of or received.”
Marvin Adorian Zanchi Dos Santos
I am Marvin A. Z. Santos, a motivated student who recently graduated QQI Level 5 in Software Development, now starting a new 4-year journey at SETU University to become a Bachelor in Software Development. My future goals are to gain new skills, make friends, and make network in the field in order to prepare myself for the real-world market.
Marvin Adorian Zanchi Dos Santos
SETU Waterford Software DevelopmentMarvin Adorian Zanchi Dos Santos
SETU Waterford
Software DevelopmentMotivated student who recently graduated QQI level 5 in Software Development, now starting a new 4-year journey at SETU University to become a Bachelor in Software Development. My future goals are to gain new skills, make friends, and make network in the field in order to prepare myself for the real-world market.
Mary Bonner
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal Communication - EnglishMary Bonner
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal
Communication - EnglishMary Bonner is a passionate mature student at ATU Donegal, pursuing a degree in Communication with English. With a lifelong love for storytelling and the power of words, Mary is dedicated to exploring how effective communication can shape our understanding of the world. Her return to education has been driven by a desire to use her skills in language and communication to uplift marginalized voices and foster community connections.
The Scholarships
Uversity advertises and awards Higher Education Scholarships to Adult Learners to enrol on a Bachelor’s Degree for the first time