From Learner to Leader: Monaghan Institute Graduate Maggie Swift’s Pathway in Further Education

In 2019, Maggie Swift embarked on a personal challenge: returning to full-time education as a mother and mature student at Monaghan Institute.

With the support of dedicated tutors and lecturers, she found the experience both fulfilling and transformative. It offered her a deeper insight into the world of Further Education, not just as a learner, but as someone beginning to understand the systems that shape self-belief, growth, and opportunity.

When she first walked up the stairs of Monaghan Institute in 2019, Maggie never imagined she would graduate from Dundalk Institute of Technology with a First-Class Honours Degree in 2023. Until that point, she believed academic success was something reserved for other people, not her. In 2024, she completed the Higher Diploma in Community and Further Education at Maynooth University, graduating with Honours. Most recently, she received her results from the MEd in Adult and Community Education, also at Maynooth, which she completed in July 2025, receiving further Honours.

This journey has been one of self-recognition and growth. It has shaped her future career in education and reaffirmed her belief in the power of adult learning. Through it, Maggie has come to understand how systems are formed, how they influence choices, and how education can empower individuals to become who they truly are.

Start your journey with us

If you are interested in starting your education journey with us or pursuing a new career path, explore Monaghan Institute’s courses for more information.