Kōrero o ākonga me kaimahi

Staff and Student Profiles

Aqela Cakobau

Information and Enrolments Advisor

With a passion for helping young people flourish, Aqela (pronounced An-ge-la), our Information and Enrolments Advisor is the friendly face you’ll first meet when enquiring or enrolling at UCOL Whanganui.

Roman Sarki

Bachelor of Design & Arts ākonga

A Bhutanese-Nepalese immigrant, Roman Sarki had a friend in Nepal who knew the word fashion in English when they were kids – just hearing the word itself was what kickstarted his design journey.

Erin Hall

Early Childhood Lecturer

As a teenager, UCOL Early Childhood Education (ECE) lecturer, Erin Hall, says she knew becoming a teacher was her calling and she hasn’t looked back since.

Michael Katene

Diploma in Architectural Technology ākonga

​Dreams can come true according to UCOL Diploma in Architectural Technology ākonga, Michael Katene.

Campbell Poulton

New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Trade) - Apprenticeship

Campbell Poulton's decision to pair his practical farm work experience with study has turned out to be the perfect match.

Wendy Johns

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Majoring in Accounting) Graduate

Wendy Johns' decision to return to UCOL 18 years after she first left couldn't have resulted in a better outcome.

Shane Hayter

Automotive Engineering Lecturer

Shane wasn’t looking to become a teacher, but with some encouragement from his wife, he took the plunge and applied.

Tessa Ander

Beauty ākonga

This isn’t the first UCOL graduation for Tessa, who is successfully working her way through UCOL’s beauty programmes, from Level 2 to Level 5.

Leana Malcolm

Beauty Therapy graduate

The challenges Leana Malcolm has overcome, as a young mum of two, to find success in her studies are something she’s very humble about.

Shayla Nelley

Hairdressing ākonga

Shayla Nelley is celebrating wrapping up her year studying the New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing Level 3.