STAFF CASE STUDY
MARLA BAIRD
Equality and Inclusion Manager
Before I became the Equality
and Inclusion Manager at
Ayrshire College, I had a
varied background both
working and studying in the
further education sector
aswell as volunteering with
various organisations.
After the birth of my youngest
child, I returned to college
as a mature student to study
Social Care and HN Social
Sciences before progressing to
Glasgow Caledonian University
where I gained a BA Honours
in Sociology and Psychology.
During my third year at
university I worked part-time
at Kilmarnock College, tutoring
in Psychology and Philosophy.
Shortly after graduating from
university, I worked with East
Ayrshire Council as a Drugs
Officer before returning to
Kilmarnock College to take
up post working with students
who had additional support
needs. I led this service to
ensure we were breaking down
the many barriers that students
face not only getting to College
but also successfully completing
their course.
During my time in this
position I obtained a Master’s
degree in Education (Equality
and Diversity) and became
involved with various Equality
campaigns. This eventually
34
led to me becoming the
first Equality and Inclusion
Manager at Ayrshire College, a
role which I feel very passionate
about.
In my new position I look
forward to advancing equality
for students and staff whilst
raising awareness of Equality
and Inclusion issues. My
lecturers at college pushed me
to apply for university and
without their support and
encouragement I wouldn’t be in
the position I am today. I feel
very passionate about helping
others believe in themselves
regardless of their background
or personal characteristics,
I believe everyone has the
potential to be successful and
have the life they want.
Over the next 12 months, one
of my biggest aims is to raise
the profile of Equality and
Inclusion across all campuses
by working closely with my
colleague Sara Turkington,
Equality & Inclusion Officer.
Using the Equality Outcomes
we have already developed, I
am keen to embed these within
all systems and processes
within the College. I am
particularly interested in raising
awareness of mental health and
wellbeing and looking at ways
to maintain positive wellbeing
and supporting students and
staff who have poor mental
health.
We have already been raising
awareness throughout Ayrshire
College in 2014 by promoting
several events including
Mental Health Awareness
Week, LGBT History Month
and International Women’s
Day. Another interesting area
we have been tackling is the
issue of ‘Women on Boards’
which challenges Management
Boards to increase female
representation. As a College
we are already leading the
way with ensuring that we
have equal representation
of male and females on our
Board of Management and this
demonstrates our commitment
to ensuring that equality is at
the heart of all that we do.
We have also formed a cross
College group to work on
Values, Inclusion, Equality and
Wellbeing (VIEW). The VIEW
group will be taking forward
a range of equality projects
throughout the year.
My role as Equality & Inclusion
Manager is wide ranging and
very challenging and every day
is different. I believe that we
all have the capacity to make
a difference and we have the
power to be the change that we
want to see in the world.
To find out more information
about equality and inclusion or
the VIEW group please visit:
www.ayrshire.ac.uk/
equalityandinclusion
THE STUDENT VOICE: EDITION 3