Gaylene Carragher

“I was hesitant to start my post-secondary education in my late thirties,” said Gaylene. “But one day my dear friend and mentor, Valerie Downe, picked me up for lunch and surprised me by taking me to UPEI. We walked the campus and, although I was hesitant, Valerie encouraged me to register for just one course. I enrolled in University 101 and that was it, I was hooked.”

After beginning her career at Holland College, Gaylene completed the CAE program and continued to take university courses, obtaining a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education, and a Master of Business.

“It was a dream come true to be a learning manager at Holland College,” said Gaylene. “I love teaching, and witnessing students overcoming challenges to improve their lives has been a gift.”

In 2006, Gaylene and her husband Jim established the Austin Carragher Adult Education Award, in memory of Jim’s father. Austin was a graduate of the college’s Adult Education program, and that education better enabled him, along with his wife Edith, to care for and support their nine children.

“Helping Adult Education students with financial assistance and moral support is how Jim and I honour Austin’s memory,” said Gaylene. “We had the opportunity to help students over the years and to be honest, giving is contagious. When you see the genuine impact your gifts can make, it gives back more to you than you can imagine.”

In addition to the Austin Carragher Adult Education Award, Gaylene has also supported a number of other priorities and initiatives of the Holland College Foundation, most of which have provided financial aid to students.

“I know from experience that education is the only way to break out of the stigma society creates for young parents,” said Gaylene. “Giving people a chance, or a second chance, to pursue their education is an investment in all of our futures.”