Emerging Leaders Programme wins L&DI 2024 Excellence in Learning Award

30/09/2024

DCU’s pioneering Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP) for alumni has been awarded the 2024 Learning and Development Institute's Excellence in Learning Award for Best Coaching or Mentoring Initiative. The award was presented at a black tie ceremony in September in the Killashee Hotel Kildare.

Now in its fifth year, the programme offers leadership, coaching and mentoring support to recent graduates from all five faculties of study at DCU. The 22 new Emerging Leaders celebrated their opening event at Accenture The Dock this year.

Following the shortlisting process last May, Programme Leader Katie Keogh, Director of Alumni Relations Ross Munnelly, and former ELP participant Kean Hortillo travelled to Kildare to present the programme and its impact on alumni to a panel of judges.

The programme consists of both in-person and virtual engagements alongside executive coaching hours tailored to each participant and a mentoring relationship with a graduate from the programme. These coaching and mentoring hours allow participants to reflect on their learnings and apply them to their current career goals.

The award was collected on the night by Katie Keogh, Ross Munnelly, DCU Alumni Council members James Corcoran and Robert Dunne, DCU VP for People, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Gareth Yore, Alumni Office team members Mary Larkin and MK Andersen, and Emerging Leaders alumni and Steering Committee Members Kean Hortillo, Niall Behan, Karena Flynn Thai, and Jennifer McGarry.

Speaking about the award, the President of DCU, Prof Dáire Keogh said: "I want to congratulate the programme team, led by Ross Munnelly and Katie Keogh, on being awarded this prestigious prize. The award is a recognition of the innovation and impact of the Emerging Leaders Programme, which is a great example of how graduates pulling together can develop each other. It has delivered really significant benefits for the professional and personal development of our alumni participants."

James Corcoran said: “Many congratulations to Katie Keogh, all of the Emerging Leadership Programme team and Ross Munnelly and the Alumni Office on this well deserved award. Together the programme team and Alumni Office have developed the ELP into a flagship programme where recent graduates are given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Another inspiring example of how DCU continues to support and develop their students, even after graduation”.

Ross Munnelly concluded: “We are eternally grateful to Programme Leader Katie Keogh who set a clear vision for the programme over five years ago. Each year Katie recruited more and more volunteers to enhance the experience of our participants and ensure the wonderful leadership learning opportunities for all concerned.