Kiely Trainor
Beauty Alumni
The first time Kiely Trainor applied lash extensions as a beauty student at UCOL Manawatū, it took her three and a half hours, and that was just to complete one eye.
Kōrero o ākonga me kaimahi
Staff and Student Profiles
Dr Pankaj Sharma
Lecturer - Information & Communications Technology
Dr Pankaj Sharma takes a practical, problem-solving approach to teaching, helping ākonga build confidence through hands-on development and real-world applications.
Dr Sheela Murugasu
Senior Lecturer - Business
2026 marks two significant milestones for Dr Sheela Murugasu, who is celebrating 10 years working at UCOL and the completion of her PhD.
Luke Haglund
ECE and Te Reo Māori Ākonga
Genuine, lovely and committed sums up Luke Haglund, ECE and Te Reo Māori ākonga at UCOL.
Shontae Sharp
Facilities Management Office Administrator
Being snapped up by UCOL’s Facilities Management team three weeks before her programme finished, Shontae Sharp’s transition from study to employment couldn’t have gone smoother.
Kate Sellar
Creative Industries Lecturer
Art, creating, and education have been central to Kate Sellar’s life for more than four decades. As a textile and fibre artist, researcher, and educator, Kate brings together diverse experience across galleries, schools, tertiary education, and her own creative practice in New Zealand and previously England.
Richard Shepherd
Creative Lecturer
UCOL Creative Lecturer Richard Shepherd has found home in Whanganui, sharing his love of art, film and photography with the next generation.
Laura Papple
Master of Design Ākonga
After beginning her studies through UCOL, with the completion of her Bachelor's and Postgraduate, Laura is now celebrating the completion of her Master of Design in the place where it all began.
Cameron Simmonds
Bachelor of Nursing Graduate
Valedictorian wasn’t necessarily on Cameron Simmond’s radar as a high to ride out his successful graduation from UCOL Whanganui, but that’s exactly how he celebrated the end of his Bachelor of Nursing.
Ratu Whippy
Diploma in Construction Graduate
Through his sheer hard work and determination, Ratu is now graduating with his Diploma in Construction and is currently contracting building decking and fencing while he looks for long-term employment in his field.