MSU VP for Academic Affairs 24/25: Meet your candidates
REBECCA MC CARTHY
Q: What year are you currently in, and what course are you studying?
A: I’m a third year student, so final year. My major is History and my minor is Media Studies.
Q: What inspired you to run for elections?
A: I’ve always wanted to be more involved in student life, but I was very busy in the past, and I didn’t really know how to. It was only when I became an orientation leader this past year that I got into the Senate, and I just really loved working on it. I decided that it was something I would have liked to take part in again, but in a full-time position, since it’s my final year. I also feel like the different experiences I’ve had during my time in Maynooth would really help me to make a contribution to the University.
Q: As I’m sure you’re aware of, the VP of Academic Affairs used to be the VP of Education until recently. Do you think that this change of name brings with it a change in responsibilities?
A: I think that the role is still fairly similar. I can’t be sure, but I believe it’s probably been changed to make the position more inclusive. When people think of education, they mostly think of what is taught during lectures. Whereas in my opinion, the “academic affairs” implies anything that can affect education. It includes students’ lives outside of university, and the impact that has on their overall learning.
Q: How would you make a change in Maynooth if you were to be elected?
A: I would like to focus on the smaller things that make a big change on campus. I would personally work more with academic reps to ensure students feel connected to the Students’ Union. I feel like many people don’t know what it is, or what it does, so I would love to utilise academic reps to create that connection between us and the students.
I also think my new role would allow me to educate many others on the resources we have on campus, such as societies. They are a great addition to students’ academic experience, and a way for them to meet new people.
Another issue I would focus on is AI. It seems to be treated as something to fear and not use at all, when really it has its benefits. Some of my friends use it to come up with possible exams questions they can work on. I would definitely try to show students that AI is not to be completely avoided and feared. It all depends on how it’s used.
Q: Are you involved in any club or society here on campus? Or do you have any interests or hobbies?
A: I am. I'm actually the chairperson of the Drama Society at the moment and I have been this whole past academic year. Back home I’m also involved in the local camogie team, and I’ve played since I was a child.
Q: Who would you say is your biggest role model?
A: I wouldn’t say I have a specific idol, but there are some character traits that I admire and appreciate in people. For example, I have so much respect for everyone in the Students’ Union. Attending Senate meetings and having them share their knowledge with me has been a great way to learn, and I really appreciate that. Even being involved in the Drama Society, I’ve seen several people not being used to performing on stage coming out of their shell and still giving it a go. It’s really inspiring.
Q: How would you describe yourself using one to five words?
A: One word I would use is unhinged. My disposition can change very swiftly. There are times in which I’ll be more reserved, while I’ll give anything a go during others. But I can also be incredibly driven and motivated. So these are three words I’d use to describe myself: unhinged, driven, motivated.
Q: What is the concept at the centre of your campaign?
A: Your education is yours. It’s yours to do with. It’s yours to change. It’s yours to shape.
At the end of the day, students go to college to get an education in order to progress in their lives, and whoever gets elected should keep this at the core of what they do.
RODDIE MCGUINNESS
Q: What year are you currently in, and what course are you studying?
A: I am Bachelor of Science, International Computational Thinking student in my final year.
Q: What inspired you to run for elections?
A: As a computer science student, I’ve been really engaged with the use of AI for different purposes, and I think the university is lacking in how they’re approaching the issue. While they have clearly laid out that AI is considered plagiarism, I am of the opinion that Artificial Intelligence is only going to become more ubiquitous. We should be learning to integrate it in our learning and in our assessment. Because of my expertise in the area I would be able to make a difference to students and help the university to accept AI as a teaching tool.
Q: As I’m sure you’re aware, the Vice President of Current Affairs used to be the Vice President of Education until recently. Do you think that this change of name brings with it a change in responsibilities?
A: The responsibilities of the role are outlined in the MSU Constitution. The title is more of a symbolic change than a change in responsibilities. While the Constitution has previously been modified, changes in title are separate core alterations, so the nature of the role remains unaffected.
Q: How do you plan to make a change in Maynooth if you were to be elected?
A: The Teaching and Learning Guidelines is a document that Maynooth University publishes to outline how students and staff should go about teaching and learning across all departments. This document has not been updated since 2018. This is definitely an issue, seeing as we have been through a global pandemic in which teaching was based solely online. Maynooth is a very different campus than it was when the document was written. There’s now a huge commuter population who would benefit from a more accessible hybrid learning. I intend for hybrid learning to be clearly outlined in the Teaching and Learning Guidelines. Furthermore, there is an issue with Universal Design for Learning, a set of rules to be followed when providing education, so that people of different abilities can have equal access to education. I would modify the University’s Teaching and Learning Guidelines in order for education to be fairer for everyone regardless of their socio-economic situation, disability or neurodivergence. Another thing I would like to expand on, is our de-stress campaign during exams. While it is beneficial, I feel like we could be more helpful to students sitting exams by solving the issue at its root instead of trying to find last-minute solutions to pre-exam stress. I would organise workshops at the beginning of each semester in order to introduce students to evidence-based learning techniques, which would help them in the long run.
Q: Are you involved in any club or society?
A: Throughout my time in Maynooth I have been heavily involved in the Irish Society. I was in fact the treasurer of the Irish Society two years ago, handling over €25,000 worth of transaction. I was also involved in the Surf and Yoga Societies. We actually organised a three-day trip to Belmullet, which was a great experience. I am currently singing in the Maynooth University Chamber Choir. It is a time consuming activity, due to the fact we rehearse five times a week and are expected to be familiar with the music beforehand, but I really enjoy it.
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: This might sound like a cliché, but I would have to say my father. He is someone who really excels at dealing with people and their emotions. He has always endeavoured to make my mother, myself and my siblings feel as safe and secure as we can in every situation. And that is something that is really important and that a lot of us could learn from. I believe there is few things as important as the effect one has on other people’s lives, because what are we other than the connections we have in our lives?
Q: How would you describe yourself using one to five words?
A: Diligent and selfless.
Q: Do you have a campaign motto or a favourite quote?
A: One of the quotes I would use quite often, especially when someone is stressing out about something to do with their education, is: “your maths class isn’t going to be at your funeral”. It might be a bit morbid, but it’s just an important application of perspective. It’s meant to indicate that the people in your life are what matter above all else. Academics are also crucial, of course, but at the end of the day repeating a class or sitting an exam twice is not something you will look back to and regret.
My campaign motto is “a vote for me, is a vote for students as partners”. While the staff are employed here, students are the biggest group of stakeholders. We pay a considerable sum of money to study here, so for us to not be seen as the partners that we should be seen as, is a grave, grave flaw in the current university model.
OLIVIA McCLEAN
Q: What year are you currently in, and what course are you studying?
A: I’m currently doing a Master’s in Irish History after completing my undergraduate degree in Sociology and History.
Q: What inspired you to run for elections?
A: As an undergraduate student, I wanted to run for a position within the SU, but I wasn’t confident enough and felt as if the job was not for me. After my graduation, I worked as a Student Advisor for another SU, a job that entailed advocating for students’ rights and fighting to ensure their needs were met. That gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and run as Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Q: As I’m sure you’re aware, the Vice President of Current Affairs used to be the Vice President of Education until recently. Do you think that this change of name brings with it a change in responsibilities?
A: In my opinion, academic affairs are centred on what happens beyond the classroom, and focus on what we can do to help students succeed in their academic careers. I think it gives that broader context of advocacy that was needed within an education realm.
Q: How would you make a change in Maynooth if you were elected?
A: My first manifesto point is advocacy. I will be the voice of students, and I will fight for what is right for them. I want to be the person they come to and confide into so that I can implement the necessary changes to improve their academic life. My next point is accessibility. Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a living crisis, which makes attending college harder for students. In order to solve this issue, I intend to create a hybrid learning space for students. Having online access to lecture notes is an incredible opportunity for students who have to juggle university work, jobs and commuting time. I believe this leads me to my next point, which is students’ success. I plan to work closely with MAP, as well as HEAR and DARE students in order to hear their concerns and issues. It is also my intention to increase the feedback we receive from academic reps and members of Senate. With regards to academic success, I intend to set up workshops to provide students with essay-writing guidelines and tips on saving money on books and other educational supplies. My last point is inclusivity. As VP of Academic Affairs, I would implement an information platform for international students, to help them adjust to life both in Ireland and Maynooth. I would also advocate for increased quiet spaces for neurodivergent students and work towards building a more comfortable environment for them. In particular I would address the issue of classroom lighting, which negatively affects epileptic students.
Q: Are you involved in any club or society?
A: I was involved in the Drama Society in first year, but unfortunately I haven’t been involved with clubs and societies since then. I love knitting in my spare time. In fact, I’ve made bracelets to hand out to students as part of my campaign!
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: My biggest role model is definitely my mother. During the second year of my undergraduate programme, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Seeing her maintaining a positive attitude despite the chemotherapy and operations she had to undergo, made me realise she is the strongest woman I have ever met in my whole life. I think her strength and resilience shaped me to become the person I am today. Not a day goes by in which I am not grateful for her presence and all I have been gifted with. And most importantly, I am now a firm believer that there is a light at the end of every tunnel, which is why I always wear a smile on my face.
Q: How would you describe yourself using one to five words?
A: I am fun, bubbly and organised.
Q: Do you have a campaign motto or a favourite quote?
A: Since my surname is McClean, my campaign motto is “McCleanin’ up education in Maynooth”. My favourite quote is “Still, I rise” by Maya Angelou. I find it hugely inspiring, because it encourages people to rise and keep going no matter what life throws in their path.
