Watson Graduate Students Complete Internships in Ireland

Eleven graduate students in UNCW’s Watson College of Education Higher Education programs completed internships at Maynooth University in Ireland this October.

The program, coordinated by Dr. Andy Ryder, associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, and Dr. Symphony Oxendine, associate dean of Graduate Education, Professional Programs, Faculty Affairs, and Research, offers students a global perspective on higher education and hands-on experience in campus administration.

“This was our largest cohort since the program began in 2015!” Ryder said. “Many students cite our international internship at Maynooth University as a key factor in their decision to come to UNCW. And, at commencement, program participants frequently describe their Maynooth experience as the most transformative part of their learning journey.”

“Each year, our students do amazing work alongside our partners at Maynooth University, and the accomplishments of our 2025 cohort were a strong testament to their academic, research, and professional skills,” he added. “Through this unique professional and culturally immersive experience, students complete action research projects that build administrative and leadership capacity and form lasting bonds with their Maynooth colleagues, faculty leaders, and one another through abundant social and cultural immersion opportunities.”

Student Experiences

• Sammi Levy, a second-year doctoral student in Leadership in Higher Education and an Academic Advisor in UNCW’s Center for Academic Advising, worked with Student Success Officer Eddie Corr, serving as an external reviewer of Maynooth’s student partnership framework. She provided recommendations to strengthen student engagement and collaboration across teaching, learning, and research.
• Jill Harding, a second-year doctoral student in Community College Leadership and the Director of Occupational Programs at Surry Community College, partnered with Katerina Koulianou, personal assistant to the Vice President International. She developed a survey for admitted, non-enrolled students to better understand their college decision-making and created a competitive analysis to inform Maynooth’s recruitment strategy.
• Allegra Laing, a third-year doctoral student in Leadership in Higher Education and Executive Director for Global Programming at Elon University, also worked with Koulianou. Her project focused on expanding Maynooth’s international recruitment in Africa, developing a Business Environment Risk Index to identify target countries for partnership and outreach.
• Abby DeHaas Brittle, a third-year doctoral student in Leadership in Higher Education and Coordinator for Academics & Athletics Recruitment at Duke University, collaborated with Sports Development Officer Jenny Duffy. She designed a digital Academic Success Hub and Mentor Program to support Maynooth’s growing population of student-athletes.

Other students who completed internships included Kelsey Axe, Samantha Bray, Sarah Burton, Ashley Ess, Amber Ferrell, Emily Ko, and Jennifer Mock.

The trip began with a weekend in Dublin, featuring a walking tour led by a Trinity College Dublin doctoral candidate and visit to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. During their stay the group also enjoyed an evening of traditional Irish dancing with a local céilí group and visits to the historic Russell Library (1795) and St. Patrick’s College Chapel (1892).

The next Maynooth Internship will be offered in fall 2026. The program is open to all M.Ed. students in Higher Education and to all Ed.D. students in Higher Education and Community College Leadership who have completed at least six program credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

About Watson’s Higher Education Programs

UNCW’s Watson College of Education offers a dynamic master’s program in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a doctoral program designed for professionals pursuing leadership roles in colleges, universities, and North Carolina’s community college system.

For more information, visit the Higher Education Programs website.