Staff and Student Profiles

Alana White
NZ Diploma in Architectural Technology Graduate
For Alana White, architecture is about creating something that will be used by people for years to come. Alana has always been interested in architectural design. Even as a kid at kindergarten, she would often draw plans and layouts for her dream home.
Meet Alana
Brianna Billaney
Early Childhood Education Graduate
Early Childhood Education runs in the family for Brianna Billaney. After finishing high school, Brianna was considering studying science until she was told about UCOL Horowhenua’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) programmes.
Meet Brianna
Suvisal Thilina
Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology Graduate
Growing up in Sri Lanka, Suvisal Thilina had an interest in technology and learning how to use new software. UCOL’s Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology gave him the tools to turn that interest into a career.
Meet Suvisal
Hazel Wiffen Khan
Bachelor of Nursing Graduate
After seeing nurses care for her poppa in hospital, Hazel Wiffen-Khan knew that was the career she wanted to pursue.
Meet Hazel
Hannah Neilson
Bachelor of Nursing Graduate
Hannah Neilson came to UCOL Whanganui after receiving an Excellence Scholarship to study Nursing. Now she has begun her career in her home town’s hospital.
Meet Hannah
Holly Antrobus
Automotive Engineering Graduate
Holly Antrobus’ passion for cars grew from watching her grandad work on his collection of vintage vehicles. Now Holly has a head start on her apprenticeship after completing UCOL’s NZ Certificate in Automotive Engineering Level 3 programme.
Meet Holly
Daniella James
Bachelor of Creative Media Graduate
Daniella James has loved taking photos ever since she got her first camera at 8 years old. UCOL’s Bachelor of Creative Media has helped her develop her photography skills to a professional level and gain expertise in graphic design and videography.
Meet Daniella
Matthew Christophers
Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology Graduate
For his Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology internship, Matthew designed an AI chatbot to help an insurance company resolve customer enquiries quicker.
Meet Matthew
Vicki-Lee Tyacke
Head of School of Nursing (Palmerston North)
UCOL’s new Head of School, Nurse Education (Palmerston North) Vicki-Lee Tyacke has come full circle now leading the school she started out at.
Meet Vicki-Lee
Steph Lamb
Bachelor of Nursing Graduate
Leaving the tranquil countryside to join the hustle bustle of the health care world has been "in no doubt" the best decision UCOL Bachelor of Nursing graduate Steph Lamb has ever made.
Meet Steph
Pamela Jewitt
Bachelor of Nursing Graduate
"I'm big on the quality of compassion...I thought I would end up in paediatrics, but when I went on mental health placement I realised that my skills and what I was passionate about really came into play."
Meet Pamela
Emma Warrington
Bachelor of Nursing Graduate
Emma gained full time employment as a Practice Nurse at Carterton Medical Centre in the Wairarapa.
Meet Emma