CMIT Tutors and Staff

Sinead O’Connor – Student Services Director

Sinead O’Connor is Student Services Director with CMIT with wide-ranging experience in managing accredited training environments in Ireland. Sinead is responsible for all student services in the college and the day to day management of operations. Her educational qualifications are:

• Certificate in Training and Development, QQI Level 6 Special Purpose Certificate
• Train the Trainer, QQI Level 6 Certificate
• Certificate in Training Needs Identification and Design, QQI Level 6 Award
• Certificate in Training Delivery and Evaluation, QQI Level 6 Award
• Diploma in Marketing, Marketing Institute of Ireland
• Certificate in Marketing, Marketing Institute of Ireland

Seán O’Connor – M.Sc. (Hons), MA (Hons), B.Sc. (Hons) – Managing Director

Seán O’Connor is Managing Director with CMIT and eCommerce Tutor. He has over 25 years of experience in senior eCommerce roles with large corporates. He has advised companies such as eir, An Post, AXA, 123.ie and KBC on online strategy, digital marketing, social media and eCommerce. He is a Qualified Google Ads Professional and a Google Partner. He has tutored and lectured at undergraduate level – including programmes which lead to QQI and Marketing Institute of Ireland awards. His qualifications are:

• Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing (Hons), University College Dublin (UCD)
• Master’s Degree in Management Science (Hons), Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
• Bachelor of Management Science Degree (Hons), Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
• Advanced Management Programme, Irish Management Institute
• Advanced Diploma in Marketing Techniques, Technological University Dublin (TUD)
• Diploma in Marketing, Technological University Dublin (TUD)
• Certificate in Marketing, Technological University Dublin (TUD)
• Certificate in Education and Training, NUI, Maynooth

Claire Fannin – B.Sc. (Hons) – Quality Director and Tutor

Claire Fannin is Academic Director and a Business tutor with wide-ranging experience in managing accredited training environments in Ireland. She is responsible for co-ordinating CMIT’s quality assurance programme and has worked as a training quality assurance manager – verifying and assuring QQI and other accredited programs. She also tutors in management and marketing programmes. Her qualifications are:

• Bachelor of Management Science (Hons), Technological University Dublin (TUD)
• Train the Trainer, QQI Level 6 Certificate

Jen Myler – M.Sc., B.SS. (Hons) – Programme Director and Tutor

Jen Myler graduated from University College Dublin with an M.Sc. in Human Resource Management and from Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor in Social Studies. Jen has experience working in Human Resource management for both SME’s and larger private sector organisations. Her experience includes roles within learning and development and compliance. Jen is the Programme Director, and her role involves the management, creation, approval and review of programmes of learning in the college. Jen also Tutors Management and Leadership programmes. Her educational qualifications are:

• M.Sc. Human Resource Management, University College Dublin
• B.SS. Social Studies, Trinity College Dublin
• QQI level 6 Instructing Manual Handling
• QQI level 6 Instructing People Handling

Karen Cunningham – MA, BA, H-Dip  – Business and Management Tutor

Karen Cunningham graduated from University College Cork with a Master of Arts. Karen’s previous experience includes working at management level within health services, hospitality and recruitment and employment services. With an interest in the adult education sector she returned to college gaining a Higher Diploma in Event Management and a training qualification and is now pursuing a career in tutoring and lecturing. Her educational qualifications are:

• MA Arts, University College Cork.
• BA Business, Sligo Institute of Technology.
• HDip in Arts, University College Cork.
• HDip Event Management, Fitzwilliam Institute.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology, Staffordshire University.
• Train the Trainer, QQI Level 6 Certificate

Sarah Jane Cashman – MBS (Hons), B.Eng. (Hons) – Business and Management Tutor

Sarah Jane is an experienced lecturer and business tutor.  Sarah Jane is involved in delivering and assessing courses at NFQ levels 5 to 9. Previous experience includes lecturing at level 9 on business research methods, developing learning materials and online resources and dissertation support and supervision for level 9 learners. Sarah Jane is currently undertaking a PhD in the use of technology to support flexible adult learning. Her qualifications are:

• PhD (Waterford Institute of Technology, in progress)
• Master’s Degree in Business and Accounting (Hons), Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
• Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Hons), University of Limerick (UL)
• Certificate in Financial Advice (Consumer Credit), Institute of Banking at University College Dublin (UCD)
• Certificate in Training and Development, QQI Level 6 Special Purpose Certificate

Jackie Breen BA, Solicitor – Criminology and Mediation Tutor

Jackie Breen is a practising Solicitor in Dublin. She is widely experienced and has held positions both in Private Practice and as an In-house lawyer. She is also a qualified Life and Business Coach and practices in areas of one-to-one coaching, career coaching and business coaching. She has significant experience in facilitating learning both in Legal and Corporate environments. Her educational qualifications are:

• Bachelor of Arts in Legal and Business Studies, Waterford Institute of Technology
• Diploma in Personal and Business Coaching, Irish Lifecoach Institute
• National Diploma In Business Studies – Export Law, Waterford Institute of Technology
• National Certificate in Financial Services, Institute of Bankers in Ireland

Gemma Healy MA, BA – Childcare Tutor

Gemma Healy is an experienced Childcare Professional with over 7 years’ experience in childcare, five of which are management roles. Gemma is passionate about the delivery of quality early years services and actively engages in continuing professional development to update her knowledge of new and emergent trends in the industry. She graduated with a Degree from Carlow Institute of Technology and is currently undertaking a Masters in Child Youth and Family Studies. Gemma is currently working as the Head of Montessori in a large ECCE setting. Her educational qualifications are:

• MA in Child Youth and Family Studies
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care, Carlow IT
• Train the Trainer, QQI Level 6 Certificate
• Level 5 and 6 Major Awards in Childcare and Education

Mary McGowan –BA (Hons) – Business and Management Tutor

Mary McGowan graduated from National College of Ireland with a BA in European Business and Languages. Mary has over 20 years’ experience in retail, 11 of which at senior management level responsible for the effective training and management of a large workforce. Mary has always had an interest in the training and development of staff and is bringing her management experience combined within this interest together to pursue a tutoring role. Her educational qualifications are:

• BA European Business and Languages, National College of Ireland
• Manual Handling, QQI level 6
• Special Needs Assisting, QQI level 6
• Training and Development, QQI level 6 (in progress)

Arlene Finnegan –BA (Hons) – Childcare Tutor

Arlene Finnegan graduated from Sligo IT with a BA in Early Childhood Care and Education.  Arlene has experience working in early years within a variety of settings including supervisory roles. Her current role is focussed on early intervention and Arlene has completed a wide range of professional development programmes in this area. Arlene is passionate about teaching and learning and following completion of the QQI Training Needs Identification and Design level 6 certificate is pursuing a role as a further education early years tutor. Her educational qualifications are:

• BA Early Childhood Care and Education, Sligo IT.
• Special Needs Assisting, QQI level 6.
• Training Needs Identification and Design, QQI level 6.
• Early years teamwork and leadership, professional development.
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Early Trauma, professional development.

Lindsey Higgins BA (Hons)  – Childcare Tutor

Lindsey Higgins holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Social Sciences. Having commenced working in Early Intervention Services as a Special Needs Assistant Lindsey discovered an interest in Early Childhood Education and began working in a Montessori. While working in early years Lindsey completed her BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies. Lindsey has experience working in several roles within early years including supervisory roles. Lindsey has specific interest in supporting, educating, and leading other early years educators in play-based, child-led learning and the Aistear Curriculum Framework. Lindsey has also completed the QQI Train the Trainer level 6 certificate. Her educational qualifications are:

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, London Metropolitan University
• BA (Hons) Social Sciences
• Advanced Certificate in Supervision in Childcare (QQI level 6)
• Certificate in Childcare – Montessori (QQI Level 5)
• QQI Train the Trainer (level 6)
• QQI Special Needs Assisting (level 6)

Imelda Matchett  – Childcare Tutor

Imelda Matchett is an experienced Childcare Professional and Early Years Tutor with over ten years’ experience in Early Years education, five of which were focussed on working with children with additional educational needs. Imelda also has six years Early Years Tutoring experience across QQI Level 5 and 6 Early Childhood Care and Education courses. She graduated with a degree from University College Cork. Her educational qualifications are:

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, University College Cork
• HDIP Social Policy, University College Cork
• QQI Special Purpose Award in Training and Development

Zowie Jackson – Early Years Tutor and Academic Administrator

Zowie tutors on a number of early learning and care programmes. Zowie has a background in Early Childhood Care and Education and is also the placement monitor providing support to learners and workplace supervisors for the Early Learning and Care programmes. Her role also includes monitoring, reviewing, and reporting on a number of academic functions in the college. Her educational qualifications are:

• BA in Applied Early Childhood Education and Care, South East Technological University
• Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC), University of Limerick
• QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education
• QQI Level 5 Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education
• QQI Training Needs Identification and Design

James Chapman B.Sc. (Hons) – Web Design Tutor

James Chapman has extensive experience in IT and Web Design. A Freelance web designer he has experience designing and constructing a variety of websites ranging from charity websites to e-commerce and sales websites. James is also very experienced in IT systems and PC maintenance and repair. His knowledge and experience include:

• B.Sc. (Hons) in Computer Science, University of Manchester
• Hypermedia and web concept expert including web design, HTML and XML.
• eCommerce expert having worked on many major eCommerce projects.
• SQL and relational database Expert.

Adele Grazi M.Sc., MA, B.Sc. (Hons) – Psychology and Counselling Tutor

Adele Grazi has extensive experience in Psychology, Counselling specifically in Addiction Counselling and has worked internationally with organisations such as the Salvation Army. Having completed an MA and M.Sc. in Counselling Psychology and Work and Organizational Psychology respectively she is currently undertaking a PhD in Work and Organizational Psychology. Her educational qualifications are:

• PhD in Work and Organizational Psychology (currently studying), Dublin City University (DCU)
• M.Sc. in Work and Organizational Psychology, Dublin City University (DCU)
• MA in Counselling Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego, USA
• B.Sc. Psychology, London Guildhall University, London, UK

Tim France BA (Hons), Adv.Dip Hypnotherapy ICHI – Mental Health and Wellness Tutor

Tim specialises in delivering wellness, resilience, mindfulness, and mental health awareness training for corporate customers. He has delivered training for Microsoft, The Convention Centre Dublin, HomeSecure (a Dublin-based Home Security company), MUFG (Mitsubishi UFG Finance Group), UDG Healthcare, Sherry FitzGerald and Start Mortgages.  He is a member of the Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapists of Ireland (ICHI) and his educational qualifications are:

• BA (Hons), Brighton University
• Adv.Dip Hypnotherapy, ICHI
• Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner

Maria Holmes – Certification Administration

Maria Holmes is responsible for Certification Administration Services at CMIT. Maria has a background in student support provision with wide-ranging experience in certification administration, student registrations, student support and CMIT eLearning support. Her primary areas of responsibility at CMIT include certification administration for QQI, ILM and ABC qualifications, issuing of completion information and processing student certification queries.

Janet Kaya – Student Services

Janet Kaya is responsible for Student Services at CMIT. Janet has wide-ranging administration experience with a focus on information provision and support. Janet is responsible for providing course information to prospective students, facilitating course enrolment and providing pre and during course support to students. Her role in the student support team is focussed on ensuring that learners have access to and are aware of the supports available to them during their studies with the college.