Meet Úna Parsons, ATU Sligo's New Head of College

Úna Parsons, Head of Faculty of Engineering and Design at ATU Sligo, has replaced Dr Brendan McCormack as Head of College at ATU Sligo.

Úna did her apprenticeship block release in Sligo forty-five years ago studying the trade of toolmaking at what was then called Sligo Regional Technical College. Braun AG awarded her a scholarship to continue her studies in Northeastern University in Boston where she graduated as a mechanical engineer in 1984.

She later did her Masters Degree in Advanced Manufacturing Systems with Brunel University in the UK. Since then, Úna has travelled the world in various global management positions working in the manufacturing industry across Europe, the USA, Mexico, Hong Kong and China.

An award-winning Chartered Engineer, Úna has worked as Industry Director for Engineers Ireland and was CEO of the Crafts Council of Ireland before taking up an academic management position in ATU Sligo in 2012. She is a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and in the last year was conferred with the distinction of Fellowship of the Irish Academy of Engineering.

Úna is deeply passionate about education and has been instrumental in the growth of the Faculty of Engineering and Design in ATU Sligo over the last decade.

Úna said: "I very much look forward to this role and working with everyone over the coming months. I really want to help make the ATU integration a most positive experience for staff, students and the community in the Sligo region. ”

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President said:

“I wish Úna the very best as ATU Sligo’s Head of College. She is a highly respected engineer and academic who has experienced ATU Sligo initially as a tool-making apprentice in the 1970’s, then later as a Head of Department and most recently as Head of Faculty. I am grateful to Úna for now accepting the additional duties of Head of College for an interim transitional period.”