Courses
Empowering women across ATU through Aurora Leadership Programme
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has recognised 15 staff members who have successfully completed the Aurora Leadership Programme for Women, a national initiative supporting leadership development in higher education. The programme is open to academic, professional, managerial and support staff who do not currently hold management roles and aims to build confidence, capability and leadership potential.
The ATU participants who completed the programme are: Dr Ann Marie Casserly, Dr Aswathy Babu, Eimear Magee, PhD, Geraldine Gorman, PhD, Dr Jess Mannion, Judith Frazer-Klug, Louise Kearins, Mara Sintejudeanu, Margaret Killeen, Olive Kelly, Roisin Atcheson, Dr Sarah Carroll, Sinéad Ní Bhroin, Victoria Wilson, and Yvonne Sarsfield.
Delivered online, Aurora offers a structured series of workshops focused on identity, impact and voice, power and politics, and core and adaptive leadership skills. Participants also benefit from optional networking opportunities and dedicated mentoring supports within ATU, strengthening both professional growth and cross-institutional collaboration.
Participation in Aurora reflects ATU’s continued commitment to advancing gender equality and developing leadership capacity across the University. This work aligns with ATU’s Gender Action Plan and broader equality, diversity and human rights initiatives, supporting national objectives to promote gender balance in higher education.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, said:
I am delighted to be celebrating our new Aurora champions. This programme empowers colleagues to recognise their leadership potential and it’s a great programme to be part of.
Margaret Killeen, who completed the programme, encouraged colleagues to get involved:
“I have completed the Aurora programme for 2026, and I would highly recommend it to any peers or colleagues who are thinking about pursuing their leadership potential. I really enjoyed the networking side of it.”
Through initiatives such as the Aurora Leadership Programme, ATU continues to support women in enhancing visibility and leadership capability, while fostering a culture of inclusion and opportunity across the University.
Photo caption: Some of the Aurora Leadership Programme graduates pictured at a recent ATU event.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Tel: 089 963 9559
E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
