Courses
WNW Connect
WNW Connect is a joint Higher Education Cluster Access project between ATU and University of Galway under Path 3 Funding, supporting regional and community partnerships to facilitate the attraction and retention of undergraduate students from target groups identified it the National Access Plan. WNW Cluster Access Programme engage with schools, students entering based on a further education award, and part-time flexible learners across the ATU region of Galway, Mayo, Sligo & Donegal.
A summary of the 2021 – 2025 programme of activities is available here.
Mentoring Projects
ATU’s WNW Connect Project has developed mentoring programmes with schools and community organisations to support participation in Higher Education Institutions. For further details see Mentoring for access, retention & student success: A review of practice in the West North -West Cluster
Resources for Mentoring
This WNW Connect Mentoring Journal can be used by mentors and mentees in schools, communities and college to support identify strengths, set goals, explore opportunities and more.
An interactive WNW Connect Teacher’s Peer Mentoring Handbook and a WNW Connect Pupil’s Peer Mentoring Handbook are available to support peer mentoring in schools.
Alumni Mentorshp Programme
The ATU Alumni Mentorship Programme is designed to support and guide students as they transition from college to the working world. Alumni mentoring helps instil confidence and competence in mentees, enhancing their overall learning experience. To learn more about the programme or become an ATU Alumni mentor or mentee, contact alumni@atu.ie.
Foróige’s Third-Level Mentoring
Foróige’s Third-Level Mentoring programme helps first-year students adjust by pairing them with mentors from within the college community, such as staff in administration, academia, and student support. For information on Foróige’s Third-Level Mentoring in ATU contact elaine.granaghan@foroige.ie
Mentoring for Access, Retention and Student Success Research Project
ATU’s WNW Connect Project has worked on mentoring programmes with schools and community organisations to support participation in Higher Education Institutions.In February 2024 Mentoring for Access, Retention and Student Success: A review of practice in the West-North-West Cluster of Higher Education Institutions was launched.
Download Research Report
Launch: Full Recording of all the following presenters:
- Linda McGloin, Access & Widening Participation Officer, ATU Sligo
- Dr Michele Glacken, WNW Connect Cluster Steering Group
- Sarah Mohan, Student’s Union President and Mentor
- Dr Bernadine Brady, Principal Investigator, UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, University of Galway
- Dr Celia Keenaghan, Education Mentoring Co-ordinator, WNW Connect Cluster
- Joellen Spacek, Senior Director with the US-based mentoring affiliate network, MENTOR
- Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU
Launch: Presenters Slides
Presentation from WNW Connect in European Parliament
Watch Mentoring in Europe: Building a Society of Engagement to Reduce Social Inequalities
Access in Higher Education Symposium – Mentoring and Community Engagement hosted by Cranmore Community Sligo October 2022
A symposium on Access to Higher Education was held in Cranmore, Sligo. Community members and education organisations came together for the first symposium of its kind with events hosted across Ray Mc Sharry Park, the Abbeyquarter Community Centre and Cranmore Community Co-operative. The event was organised by ATU Access Office in order to share good practice, promote learning and offer community organisations an opportunity to let Higher Education Institutes hear about and respond to issues of community engagement and access to higher education.
Part A – https://youtu.be/a9K8jSe3snY
The event was opened with a welcome address from Joey Jinks, local resident and Community Learner, followed by an introduction to the partnership between ATU and Cranmore Regeneration Programme from Linda McGloin, Access Office, ATU and Sean Martin, Senior Architect, Sligo County Council.
The Guest Speaker was Gysbert Bergsma from Mentoring Europe who delivered an inspiring presentation on the importance of Mentoring formal and informal.
Part B – https://youtu.be/Ld9lFSp-E3U
Speaking in the panel discussion on the ‘Experiences of Mentoring in Ireland West and North West’, local resident, student and community development volunteer Ruairi Breslin advised: “You need to start where people are at, listen to their needs and take it from there”. Event host Dr. Celia Keenaghan added: “We all need mentors and we can all be mentors; Supporting people on their education path involves time, trust and respect.”
The panel also included: Lisa Wallace, Tina Butler, Nike Ogun, Josephine McGread, Seamus Morrissey and was facilitated by Edel Kenny.
The interactive event facilitated a series of workshops in the afternoon on the thematic strands; Best Practice, Community Development Education, Interagency Working and Social Inclusion.