College appoints new principal

A NEW principal has been appointed to take charge of the country’s largest further education college in the autumn.

Helen Ryan will take over in September from Gerard O’Dwyer, who is to retire after a long career at Cork College of Commerce.

The City of Cork Vocational Education Committee (VEC) college has more than 2,000 full-time day students and more than 4,000 people pursuing professional and leisure courses at night.

Ms Ryan was previously deputy principal at the college and has been principal of the VEC-run Terence MacSwiney Community College in Knocknaheeny since 2004.

“I regret leaving the community college, where I have enjoyed every minute of the past six years in a vibrant and energetic school with marvellous staff.

“But I am looking forward to returning to the College of Commerce where I began my career and spent 17 very happy years,” she said.

Ms Ryan also expressed her belief in the City of Cork VEC’s commitment to playing a central role in education and training at all levels in the city.

The Waterford native is a graduate of University College Cork and first worked for the VEC as a teacher of psychology in 1987.

As well as her educational interests, Ms Ryan was an all-Ireland medal winner during her 10 years with De La Salle Athletic Club where hurdles and javelin were her forte. She is also very interested in horse racing and a supporter of point-to-point meetings.