Mary Immaculate College’s Director of International Engagement, Holly Cowman has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS).
Speaking about her appointment, Holly said: “I greatly admire the work that ICOS does to address challenges faced by international students and to enhance their experiences in Ireland. I have served on the board for several years, which has allowed me to collaborate with many dedicated colleagues across the sector. Assuming the role of Chair aligns with my commitment to supporting international students and to promoting inclusion and diversity for the betterment of Irish society.”
A graduate of MIC in 2005, she received a First Class Honours in her MA in Philosophy and Literature. In 2013 she became the founding director of the MIC International Office which was established to cultivate international partnerships, both within Europe and internationally, to create opportunities for the inbound and outbound semester exchange for students and Study Abroad experiences for US students at MIC. The International Office now collaborates with more than 60 partner universities and colleges in Europe, North America and Australia, and hosts over 500 international students every year.
Holly recently completed an Executive EdD in Higher Education at Boston College with a doctoral dissertation which was titled: ‘Quality over quantity: Implementing Ireland’s new, student-centred national strategy for international higher education’, which examined how Ireland can improve the experiences of international students who come to study here.
ICOS is a collaboration between its members, student organisations and Government agencies, whose aim is to ensure that international education policy and practice in Ireland is quality-driven and remains firmly focused on the educational and social needs of all students. It also promotes the rights and welfare of international students who choose Ireland as a study destination, and supports staff in colleges who work with them.
For further information on MIC’s International Office visit www.mic.ie/international
