Enniscorthy & District Chamber welcomes the news: Institute of Technology Carlow has appointed Dr Karen Hennessy as Head of Institute of Technology Carlow’s Wexford Campus.
Dr Hennessy’s appointment comes at a significant time for the Institute. Following the passing in the Seanad last week of the Technological Universities Bill, Institute of Technology Carlow Wexford Campus will form an integral part of the development of the multi-campus Technological University for the South East (TUSE).
From New Ross, Dr Hennessy attended St. Mary’s Secondary School in New Ross and went on to study physical education at Queens University Belfast. She attained an MSc in Exercise Physiology, an MBA in Sports Management, an MA in Education Management and a PhD in Sports Management/Marketing from UCD. Previously a lecturer, programme director and Head of Centre in UCD from 2001 to 2013, Dr Hennessy joined Institute of Technology Carlow as Head of Department of Sports, Media and Marketing in 2013, before becoming acting Head of Wexford Campus in 2016.
As Acting Head of the Wexford Campus, Dr Hennessy has already overseen increased academic provision at the Summerhill Campus, with the rollout of new programmes that include the BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness and the HDip in Business in Aquabusiness. Dr Hennessy will also be centrally involved in the procurement and development of a new green-field site by the Institute as the next phase of a significant and long-term strategic plan for the Wexford Campus. Dr Hennessy and the Wexford Campus team will continue to expand the already extensive links and collaborations with other education providers and with key stakeholders across the private, public and voluntary sectors in the county and beyond.
Speaking about her appointment, Dr Hennessy said, “As a native of Wexford, I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to the position of Head of Wexford Campus and to be afforded the opportunity to drive higher education provision within the county and region. I would like to acknowledge the sterling work undertaken by my predecessors in this role, especially Caroline Murphy, and I intend to honour and build upon their achievements. I believe the Wexford Campus has a truly great future ahead, with a new Campus on the horizon and as an integral part of the new multi-campus Technological University of the South East. Together with Dr Janette Davies, Deputy Head of Campus and the fantastic team at the Wexford Campus and Institute of Technology Carlow, I believe the future of the Wexford Campus is very bright”.
Dr Patricia Mulcahy, President of Institute of Technology Carlow commented, “I am delighted to welcome the appointment of Dr Hennessy to this important role. The landscape of higher education within Ireland is changing rapidly, and the passing of new legislation within the last week will further accelerate this change through clearing the way for the establishment of new Irish Technological Universities with the characteristics of internationally renowned Technological Universities. The South East Institutes of Technology aim to have a formal application for Technological University designation in the second half of 2018. Wexford Campus is an integral part of this development and Dr Hennessy will bring leadership and vision to help shape and deliver what is a highly important development for the region and country.”