Michael Kavanagh

The “SOAR” initiative has been made possible by the law firm’s relationship with Business to Arts and the Creative Ireland Programme’s National Creativity Fund.

These workshops will help NUIG Access students develop presentation skills and leadership skills to assist them prepare for entering the workforce, and to overcome barriers to progressing in their chosen career.

Michael Kavanagh, chairman of LK Shields, said: “We are delighted to assist the NUI Galway Access students and hope that the SOAR workshop series will help them achieve their personal and career goals.

“Central to our firms’ values are the ideas of access and opportunity and we believe these values firmly align with the ethos of NUI Galway Access. My colleagues and I look forward to participating in the collaborative workshops that form part of this series of workshops and wish the students every success this academic year.”

Dr Mary Surlis, academic director of the NUIG Access programme, said: “SOAR offers a very exciting opportunity to our students to engage in a professional programme of personal and professional development setting, and to experience the support and encouragement of a team of dedicated contributors committed professionals, from both the Arts and the Professions. Experientially, this will undoubtedly benefit our students enormously.”

Andrew Hetherington, chief executive of Business to Arts, added: “Alongside our Creative Ireland Programme partner, we are looking forward to working with LK Shields, NUI Galway Access and theatre practitioner James Riordan. We look forward to seeing the residency develop, fostering an environment of collaboration, learning and wellbeing through creative practice.”